What's New

 

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

Joseph Addison
1672~1719
English Poet, Playwright, Politician 

BE SOMEONE'S SMILE TODAY!

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Covid-19 vaccinations are currently available to all Cass County residents, age 16 and older, in Phase 1A and Phase 1B. Find out which 'Phase' you're in, 1A or 1B.  Spots are filling up fast, so check out which clinics are accepting appointments.

sarpycasshealthdepartment.org/myturn

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“Bag the Butts” for World No Tobacco Day

Join Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands (T.E.A.M.) to celebrate May 31st “World No Tobacco Day” as we "Bag the Butts" in our local playgrounds, parks, & community spaces.

Register your team of up to ten volunteers today at www.TEAMTobaccoFree.org to get our parks sparkling clean for our youth this summer. Those who return the tobacco waste will be entered in for prize drawing. Free t-shirts will be given as supplies last. A great socially distanced employee bonding, teamwork building, block bonding, family outing or youth group activity.

For more information about Tobacco Free Parks, call Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands (T.E.A.M.) at 402.593.3022 or email Info@TeamTobaccoFree.org.

Read more HERE.

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A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE BUDGET FROM SENATOR ROB CLEMENTS

Senator Rob Clements Column 4-9-2021

The Nebraska Legislature is over halfway through this year’s 90-day session. I have been working on the budget with the Appropriations Committee since January. On April 8th we had the first round of debate on the two-year budget and advanced it to the second round. There are a few highlights I would like to discuss.

The General Fund budget is $4.78 billion for fiscal year 2021-22 and $4.94 billion for fiscal year 2022-23, an average growth rate of 1.6 percent per year.

One of my budget priorities is property tax relief. In 2020 we passed LB 1107 which created a new income tax credit based on the property tax paid to public schools. The 2020 appropriation was $125 million, providing for an income tax credit of 6 percent of school tax paid. This tax credit increases when state revenues grow more than 3.5 percent. State revenue has grown enough to allow for credits totaling $313 million for 2021, which would be a 14 percent credit. In addition, we are increasing the original property tax credit on your property tax statement, going from $275 million to $313 million by June 30, 2022.

Another budget priority was to replenish the Cash Reserve Fund, the State’s savings account. Increased revenues allowed the reserve to increase from $426 million to $763 million by June 30, 2022. This reserve helps stabilize the budget if there is an economic downturn in the future.

State aid to schools is a priority and is fully funded. School aid will increase by $18.4 million over the next two years. The state will send $1.047 billion to K-12 public schools this coming year.

The budget also sets aside $115 million for a potential new state penitentiary or remodel of the current facility. A new prison would cost $235 million and would increase the number of beds, would be more efficient, and provide more space for inmate rehab programs. A new prison study will help decide the best option.

Nebraska is still in the competition for a new Space Force Command headquarters. We set aside $50 million for the state share if Nebraska is chosen. If not, the money will add to the reserve.

Provider rates were increased for Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid programs, community corrections and juvenile services. The budget increases these payments by 2 percent each year. This is an increase of $89.3 million and helps providers keep up with inflation.

There is $211 million still available for spending in bills up for debate. Senators will be wanting to fund their proposals with these unobligated funds. I prefer to give it back to the taxpayer with property tax credits or tax decreases. I will work to avoid adding new on-going spending increases.

The Revenue Forecasting Board will meet again April 29th to adjust the budget forecast. This will affect the budget for the next biennium. State revenues continue to be favorable due to Nebraskan’s decision to remain open as much as possible during the pandemic, plus the substantial federal stimulus payments.

Feel free to contact me or my staff for assistance, information, or questions on issues. You may reach me at: Senator Robert Clements, State Capitol Rm 1120, Lincoln, NE 68509, Phone 402­471­2613
Email: rclements@leg.ne.gov.

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Campbell-Grauf-Conn-O'Donnell Reunion!!!

It has been many years since we had an all inclusive family gathering. We have lost touch and some roots have disappeared. If you want to reconnect here’s when.  Please share!!!!

Sunday May 30 2021

Noon to 8 PM

1. Bring your lawn chairs and cameras.
2. Bring one pack hot dogs or brats and 1 pack hot dog and hamburger buns- Plattsmouth band parent yumburgers will be provided.
3. Bring a side dish.
4. Bring your family drinks, plates, silverware etc.
5. Bring yard games, ball gloves etc.
6. It will all be served family style. Bring a serving spoon.

Please contact Mary Hetzler Brasfield at Neb58city@yahoo.com or 402-890-3990.

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 ABOUT MURRAY SWIMMING POOLS

The Murray Village Ordinance 150.02 on swimming pools directs that a resident must FIRST get a permit through the Cass County Zoning Office, (402) 296-9359. Once the County Permit is obtained, it must be presented to the Village Clerk's Office, either in office or drop box outside, for review. As long as the pool is constructed WITHIN the resident’s property line, it will be approved through the Village. There is no building permit application fee for swimming pools.

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Click HERE to read the Keep Cass County Beautiful Spring Newsletter and for info about upcoming recycling events!

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Do you want to see what our elected Nebraska officials are doing? Think of them as your 'employees', because they are paid with your tax dollars.  As with any employer, you should want to see what they are doing to earn their pay.

Go to the Nebraska Legislature webpage, the official site of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

On the left side of the 'Home' page you can see a variety of topics to check out. You'll find 'Bills and Laws', 'Senators', 'Reports' and a lot more. You'll find links to your representatives, too, so you can contact them directly. On the right side of the 'Home' page is also a link for live streaming sessions from NET.

Here's an example of what you can find.  Concerning voter fraud, LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 3CA, 2021, (LR3CA), is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require verification of identity prior to voting at general elections. The proposed amendment would require poll workers to review a photograph or digital image of each voter to verify his/her identity in a manner determined by the Legislature prior to allowing said person to vote.  Read about it HERE, where you can SUBMIT COMMENTS ONLINE to your representatives for LR3CA and also READ RELATED TRANSCRIPTS of the FLOOR DEBATES held so far.

Educate yourself with information directly from the source where our laws are made at the State Capitol in Lincoln.  Stay informed and vote at each election.  This knowledge, and acting upon it at the election booth, helps to preserve our precious democracy.

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To Schedule Your Upcoming Blood Drive Donation, click HERE or call 1-800­-RED CROSS (1-800­-733-2767):

Wednesday, April 21
Louisville High School
202 West 3rd Street
Louisville, NE 68037
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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All children need a secure place to learn and grow. The ideal place should be in their own home, however many kids are not that fortunate.

In times of neglect or abuse, a child must sometimes be removed from their home at a moment's noticed and placed in a warm, safe place. Kids of all ages, from birth through high school, sometimes need the help of the Child Saving Institute.

CSI helps foster parents and biological families learn the skills they need for a safe, well-cared-for, and loving family life.During this unsettling time of covid-19, the Murray Christian Church is collecting essential cleaning items for the Child Saving Institute.

If you would like to donate, here are some things they could use:Pine Sol, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, sanitizing wipes, latex and powder-free disposable gloves, (L & XL), and hand sanitizer.

Please bring items to Murray Christian Church, 304 W Young St, Murray, NE on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, between the hours of 10 - 2:00. You may call the church ahead of time, 402-235-2527, to be sure someone will be there to assist you.

Thank you for helping to keep these children, (and the CSI staff), healthy and happy!.

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TEN YEARS AGO...

Plans for the School Carnival, an Egg Hunt, Living History Days, a Goat Clinic, March of Dimes for a Wee One and more!

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Even during the summer and amid the Covid19 crisis, the Conestoga Backpack Program continues to furnish food to local families in need. The program serves the Murray, Nehawka, Union and Beaver Lake areas in southeast Nebraska, and will not turn anyone away.

Just by adding a few of the items listed below to your shopping list and picking them up, you'll be helping someone in a big way. Keep in mind that some of the children are very young and are possibly 'preparing' their own meals, so easy-to-open containers are a good option for little hands.

Also needed are hygienic supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, cotton swabs, tissues and toilet paper.

To make a monetary donation instead, a check made payable to 'CONESTOGA BACKPACK PROGRAM' may be mailed or deposited at Cornerstone Bank, 102 W Main St, Murray, NE 68409. 100% of all monies collected is used for food and hygienic supplies for the families.

To have the items picked up, call Jill at 402-660-3543 to make arrangements. As another alternative, you may drop them off at Cornerstone Bank in Murray or at their Beaver Lake location.

Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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ATTENTION FRIENDS 

If you have a compromised immune system or do not feel safe going out to a public grocery store, we have 4 volunteers available to help. Please call the church office to request their services 402.235.2527.

Worship this week will be through Facebook Live.

Thank you,
Pastor Mike and the Murray Christian Church Board

 

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