UPDATE; The Central District Health Department reports 954 cases and 25 deaths. 899 are in Hall County. That’s a slight increase of 23 cases from yesterday but no additional deaths. Two Rivers reports 503 cases 42 more than yesterday – including 392 in Dawson County. The South Heartland District reports 136 cases – 128 are in Adams County. The latest death is an Adams County man in his 60s who had been hospitalized with underlying conditions.
UPDATE: Test Nebraska is expecting Grand Island and Omaha to have testing sites later this week – so take the Test Nebraska assessment now! Governor Ricketts has asked that all Nebraskans participate in the Test Nebraska assessment. Over 90,000 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: Central Community College has announced that all its campuses and centers will remain closed through Friday, May 8, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. CCC administrators had originally announced that all locations would be closed through Friday, May 1. CCC campuses are in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings. Centers are in Holdrege, Kearney, Lexington and Ord.
Nebraska Good News about The Good Life:
UPDATE: Bosselman Enterprises in cooperation with the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus wil distribute free ethanol-based hand sanitizer to Kearney area businesses. Sanitizer will be available at Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 1007 2nd Avenue Tuesday & Wednesday, April 28 & 29 from 9:30 – Noon. Thursday, April 30 from 9:30 – 10:30 (or until supplies run out). Hit up Bosselman and Pump and Pantry’s Social media for updates.
UPDATE: Starting this Friday boys interested in playing Kearney Legion Baseball this summer need to register on-line using the website @BaseballKearney. Follow the directions for filling out the sign up sheet and the Form 2 sheet. Anyone with questions should contact Coach Archer. According to Legion Baseball officials an abbreviated season may still take place this summer.
UPDATE: Hot Meals USA continues to feed those in need, including first responders, amid the coronavirus crisis in Kearney. The organization formed to respond in the wake of disasters has produced about 40,000 meals in the weeks since setting up in the MONA parking lot. The Kearney Knights of Columbus presented a $5,000 yesterday (Monday) as part of $12,000 in total donations from the KOC and local catholic churches and Hot Meals USA founder and director Dick Cochran says US Sen. Ben Sasse will help deliver meals today (Tuesday). If you’re in need and can’t stop by yourself contact the Kearney Jubilee Center to have a meal delivered Monday through Saturday between 11 and 1:30 p.m.
UPDATE: Active Hastings Week is April 26th – May2nd. The week showcases FREE outdoor activities with social distancing in place to get families moving and win prizes! https://www.facebook.com/HealthyHastings/posts/2537303413043108
UPDATE: Takeout Bingo! The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, and Grand Island Tourism invite you to dine, play Bingo, and support your community! Now until Friday anytime you visit a Grand Island restaurant for takeout and curbside pickup, take a picture of your food purchase, post it to your social media, and mark off one spot on your Takeout Bingo card. Finished bingo cards will be entered for FREE prizes. Two winners will be randomly selected for a $50 gift card and four runners-up will be randomly selected for a $25 gift card to the Grand Island restaurant of their choice. Completed Bingo cards need to be submitted by 10am Friday.
UPDATE: Janssen Auto group of Holdrege along with Gutterz Fun Center of Holdrege are pleased to announce their Cruise Up Car Concert featuring Luke Mills and the Highway Drifters this Friday, May 1st from 7 to 10pm. Gutterz Fun Center is a neighboring business to Janssen Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Holdrege and will be delivering food and drinks for those that would like to enjoy food during the concert. This concert is free to the public at 601 West 4th Avenue in Holdrege. Parking on the lot will be limited. Concert goers will only be permitted to enjoy the concert from their vehicles and will not be allowed to get out of their vehicles to congregate.
UPDATE: The Hastings Parks & Rec Department has had to change their spring and summer program schedule due to the pandemic, but have come up with a few social distancing activities. One of them includes a Rock Scavenger Hunt. Since March, the Parks & Rec Department has hidden “Dwayne the Limestone Rock” at a Hastings business, and posted clues on their Facebook page as to where it can be found. People who find the rock can send a photo of themselves with the rock via direct message to the Parks & Rec Department on Facebook. Those who are successful in the hunt will be eligible for a gift card. The Parks & Rec Department is also encouraging people to try out a state-wide scavenger hunt called Great Park Pursuit. Locations can be found on their website. The newly scheduled dates for some of the department’s programs are all pending what happens with the Directed Health Measure.
UPDATE: The Omaha Performing Arts Center has a number of free events for the public online to enjoy and classes for their current students. Visit their social media sites for classes and performances at no charge.
UPDATE: Emergency grants are available to Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) students who have experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19. The application can be found online at mpcc.edu/coronavirusinformation.
The 31st running of the $50,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes will take place Wednesday at Fonner Park. A full field of 10 horses will be at the post. The 1 and 1/16-mile event will be the eighth race on the nine-race card and go off at approximately 7:20 p.m. Go to Fonnerpark.com for more.
Peace Lutheran in Grand Island is offering Vacation Bible School virtually this summer. Find out more at their Facebook page.
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
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!
The City of Hastings has opened up Fisher Fountain early as a beacon of hope in these times.
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