What's New

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023

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Each child born in Nebraska in 2022 will receive a one-time $50 seed contribution, as directed by the Meadowlark Act.

Families of eligible babies will receive a letter from the State Treasurer announcing their qualification for the Meadowlark Savings Pledge. When it’s time to continue their education after high school, students can use the contribution toward education expenses. In addition to Nebraska colleges and universities, funds can be used for technical, trade, and vocational schools.

Established in 2020, the Meadowlark Program was designed to help Nebraska families get a head start on future educational expenses. Eligible Nebraska babies born in 2020, 2021, or 2022 are eligible to receive this one-time Meadowlark seed contribution. It is an automatic enrollment that does not require families to pay extra costs or complete any time-consuming paperwork.

College tuition and costs continue to increase at, and above, the rate of inflation. From 2010 to 2021, average in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges increased by 10 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.1

For those families who welcomed a baby in 2022, the Meadowlark Program is the beginning of their child’s educational savings journey, setting them up to soar. It is important for families to start saving sooner rather than later, and Meadowlark, combined with a NEST 529 account, is an easy way to help loved ones take flight toward their dreams.

NEST 529 College Saving Plan

Meadowlark is an important beginning on your savings path. But, families should open their own NEST 529 account to start building for their children’s futures today. A NEST 529 account gives families the ability to make routine contributions that can be put to work helping a child achieve their aspirations.

Key features include:

Flexibility—A NEST 529 account can be opened in just 10 minutes. Families can manage everything easily online, from contributing and reallocating funds to making their investment selections.
Tax Benefits—Tax-advantaged savings include a Nebraska state tax deduction, tax-deferred growth, and tax-free qualified withdrawals.2 Account Owners in Nebraska are eligible for an annual state income tax deduction of up to $10,000 for NEST 529 contributions or $5,000 if married filing separately.3
Investment Options—Families can customize their investment portfolio to fit risk tolerance, time frame, and savings goals. Saving is made even easier with automatic contributions from bank accounts or paychecks.
Diverse Fund Families—NEST offers quality funds from multiple fund families including Vanguard, T. Rowe Price, and others.

Visit NEST529.com to learn more about the benefits of a NEST 529 College Savings Plan. For more information on the Meadowlark Program, go to NEST529.com/Meadowlark.

The State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 Plan, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.

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About NEST 529

NEST 529 is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank and Trust serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have close to 300,000 accounts. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.

About Union Bank and Trust

Founded in 1917 with over 50 years of family ownership, Union Bank and Trust offers complete banking, lending, investment, and trust services. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $7.6 billion and trust assets of $43.6 billion as of December 31, 2022. Voters have chosen Union Bank and Trust as Best Bank, Best Customer Service, Best Work Environment, and Best Financial Planner in Lincoln for eleven years running.

Important Legal Information

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities before investing. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and the NEST Direct College Savings Plan Program Disclosure Statement (issuer’s official statement), which should be read carefully before investing. You can lose money by investing in an Investment Option. Each of the Investment Options involves investment risks, which are described in the Program Disclosure Statement.

An investor should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan. Investors should consult their tax advisor, attorney, and/or other advisor regarding their specific legal, investment, or tax situation.

The NEST Direct College Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is sponsored by the State of Nebraska, administered by the Nebraska State Treasurer, and the Nebraska Investment Council provides investment oversight. Union Bank and Trust Company serves as Program Manager for the Plan. The Plan offers a series of Investment Options within the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan Trust (the “Trust”), which offers other Investment Options not affiliated with the Plan. The Plan is intended to operate as a qualified tuition program.

Except for any investments made by a Plan participant in the Bank Savings Static Investment Option up to the limit provided by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance, neither the principal contributed to an account, nor earnings thereon, are guaranteed or insured by the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska State Treasurer, the Nebraska Investment Council, the Trust, the Plan, any other state, any agency or instrumentality thereof, Union Bank and Trust Company, the FDIC, or any other entity. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Account owners in the Plan assume all investment risk, including the potential loss of principal.

1 National Center for Education Statistics. (2022). Price of Attending an Undergraduate Institution. Condition of Education. U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cua

2 Withdrawals used to pay for qualified higher education expenses are free from federal and Nebraska state income tax. Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance; certain room and board expenses incurred by students who are enrolled at least half-time; the purchase of computer or peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services, if used primarily by the beneficiary during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible educational institution; certain expenses for special needs services needed by a special needs beneficiary; apprenticeship program expenses; and payment of principal or interest on any qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary (up to an aggregate lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual). However, earnings on all other types of withdrawals are generally subject to federal and Nebraska state income taxes, and an additional 10% federal tax.

Nebraska law does not treat the following Federal Qualified Higher Education Expenses as Nebraska Qualified Expenses: K–12 Tuition Expenses. If a withdrawal is made for such purposes, although it is a Federal Qualified Withdrawal, it will be treated as a Nebraska Non-Qualified Withdrawal and may result in the recapture of a previously claimed Nebraska state income tax deduction, and the earnings portion will be subject to Nebraska state income tax. Please consult your tax professional about your particular situation.

3 Account owners may deduct for Nebraska income tax purposes contributions they make to their own account (and any other accounts they own in the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan Trust) up to an overall maximum of $10,000 ($5,000 if married, filing separately). Contributions in excess of $10,000 cannot be carried over to a future year. For a minor-owned or UGMA/UTMA 529 account, the minor is considered the account owner for Nebraska state income tax deduction purposes. The minor must file a Nebraska tax return for the year their contributions are made to be eligible for a tax deduction for their own contributions. In the case of a UGMA/UTMA 529 account, contributions by the parent/ guardian listed as the Custodian on the UGMA/UTMA Plan account are also eligible for a Nebraska state tax deduction.

NOT FDIC INSURED*| NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE

(*Except the Bank Savings Static Investment Option Underlying Investment)

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Scatter Joy Acres
(Cell) 402-578-6335
4107 Wavery Road
Murray, NE 68409

                  www.scatterjoyacres.org                  

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 Conestoga High School's Convenience Corner is collecting hygiene items and foods for easy meals needed throughout the school year such as mac and cheese, Ramen noodles, granola bars, etc.

You may drop off donations on Thursdays between 10 am and 1 pm at Murray Christian Church, 304 W Young Street. Contact the church office, 402-235-2527 or Jessica at 402-297-7254 to make other arrangements.  You may also email at church2527@windstream.net for more information. 

You may also send items with a high school student or take them to the school. 

Your kindness is appreciated!

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https://www.teamtobaccofree.org/

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View auction inventory >>

 

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WHO CAN YOU HELP WITH YOUR DONATED BLOOD?

CANCER PATIENTS:

We have all known someone suffering with cancer. Here are some ways your donation can help make a difference to cancer patients:

Ideal Donation Type
Platelets donation, because certain cancers and cancer treatments prevent patients from producing their own.

Ideal Blood Type
A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative

TRAUMA PATIENTS:

Ideal Donation Type
Power Red, because red cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are frequently given to trauma and surgery patients.
AB Elite plasma donation, because AB plasma is needed to help stop bleeding. Call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an AB Elite appointment.

Ideal Blood Type for trauma patients:
For Power Red: O positive, O negative, B negative, A negative
For AB Elite: AB positive, AB negative

SICKLE CELL PATIENTS:

Ideal Donation Type

Whole blood or Power Red, especially from blood donors who are of African descent. Patients with sickle cell disease, who are predominantly Black, can require multiple blood transfusions every year. Donated blood must be very closely matched to the donor’s blood type to avoid transfusion-related complications. Since most patients with sickle cell disease are Black or African American, the most compatible blood type match is most often from a donor of the same race or ethnicity.

Ideal Blood Type

Type O, especially from blood donors who are Black.

BURN PATIENTS:

Ideal Donation Type: AB Elite, because plasma helps maintain blood pressure and other vital functions.

Ideal Blood Type: AB positive, AB negative. Type AB, the universal plasma donor's blood can be given to any patient needing plasma. Make an even greater impact for patients in need by giving an AB Elite plasma donation.
Give Plasma: Call to make an AB Elite appointment.

CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENTS:

Ideal Donation Type: A single whole blood donation can help more than one person.

Ideal Blood Type: All blood types are needed

Please schedule your blood donation today.

Local Volunteers and Blood Donors Needed 

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

Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Louisville High School
202 West 3rd St
Louisville, NE
10 am ~ 4 pm

Thursday, May 4, 2023
City Building
101 W Eldora Ave
Weeping Water, NE
Noon ~ 6 pm

About blood donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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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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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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KEEP READING about EVENTS in our NEIGHBORING TOWNS

 

 

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SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023

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LOFTE SEASON TICKETS MAKE GREAT GIFTS! 

PURCHASE NOW AT LOFTE.ORG.

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NEHAWKA, NEBRASKA PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

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Call  for showtimes, 1-800-480-8797, EXT 211.  For more info, leave us a voice mail at the end of  the message and we'll return your call! 

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