The Doniphan Herald

Cardinals lose to Ravenna 28-0 in 2010 opener

Click to view more photos from the Doniphan-Trumbull versus Ravenna football game on Aug. 27

RAVENNA - The Doniphan-Trumbull football team ran into a reloaded Ravenna football team last Friday night and suffered a 28-0 loss in the opener for both teams.

The Cardinals struggled to move the ball offensively with 131 total yards and when D-T did get some momentum, it often ended with a breakdown of some sort.

"We didn't execute," D-T head coach Brent Breckner said. " Lack of execution will kill you. You make a couple mistakes against them and they will knock you out right away."

D-T started with the ball first, but had to punt after just three plays. Ravenna's Ryen Miller immediately broke free for a 48-yard run to move the ball to the D-T 22-yard line. The Cardinals threw Conner Beranek for a six-yard loss on first down, but Trevor Cyboron scampered 28 yards into the end zone on second down to give Ravenna the early 7-0 lead at the 9:15 mark.

The Cardinals again went three and out on their next possession, but Garrett Bunde was able to unleash a 64-yard punt to put Ravenna back to its own nine-yard line.
After a pair of first downs, Ravenna opted to punt back to D-T on fourth down and one. The Cardinals started the drive on their own 35-yard line, but again would fail to make a first down.

Cyboron returned Bunde's punt 50 yards to the D-T 24 -yard line and the first quarter ended with Ravenna deep in Cardinal territory. Cyboron converted a key third down and four and then scored from four yards out on the next play. The extra point made it 14-0 with 11:20 remaining.

D-T, which was outgained 118-10 in the first quarter, put together its best drive of the first half on the ensuing possession. The Cardinals drove 49 yards to the Ravenna 14-yard line before a high snap cost D-T 14 yards. A 15-yard catch and run by Jacob Slogh set up a manageable third down and eight. Cosgriff scrambled for zero yards on third down and another bad snap kept D-T from scoring and Ravenna took back over with 6:11 in the first half.

Ravenna drove into field goal range but D-T was able to block a field goal attempt with .03 left in the first half.
A Jordan Slough interception on Ravenna's first drive of the third quarter appeared to lift D-T's spirits. A 20-yard run by Slough on first play the interception continued the momentum until quarterback CJ Cosgriff was intercepted two plays later.

Bryan Lienemann kept the lead from growing by stopping Ravenna short on fourth down and four at the D-T 17-yard line. D-T again saw its drive end with an interception off a deflected pass and the score remained 0-14 after three quarters. Ravenna punched in two quick touchdowns to start the fourth quarter and held on for a 28-0 win.

Slough led D-T with 52 yards rushing. Cosgriff threw for 82 yards and Heath Maurer led with 12 tackles.
D-T hosts Twin River on Friday.

D-T holds pep rally for fall sports

Click to view more photos of the Doniphan-Trumbull Fall Pep Rally

Governor\'s Weekly Column - Aug. 20, 2010

Medicaid Costs to Soar Under Federal Health Care Law

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Since the passage of the federal health care law, I have been concerned about the cost of this law and in particular its impact on the State of Nebraska in future years. We recently asked an expert, independent firm to assess the provisions of the law. The results of their analysis are staggering.

The financial analysis reveals the new cost to the State of Nebraska to finance expanded Medicaid programs will be between $526 million and $766 million over the next 10 years.

This unfunded and unparalleled expansion of Medicaid is an unfair and unsustainable mandate on Nebraska and other states.

Conducted by an independent third party with experience consulting on the Medicaid programs for two dozen states, the analysis looked at 2011 through 2020 and provided an estimate of Nebraska's obligation for funding new and expanded Medicaid programs under the federal health care law.

Today nearly one in nine Nebraskans are enrolled in Medicaid. The expansion of Medicaid in the federal law is predicted to add 107,000 to 145,000 newly eligible Nebraskans to the program, with costs estimated to range from $526 million to $766 million.

The bottom line is that with full participation, approximately one in every five Nebraskans would be enrolled in Medicaid within 10 years.

This analysis confirms that the federal health care law is an extraordinarily large and excessive unfunded mandate for states. It confirms that this law has potentially devastating consequences for our state budget.

Medicaid is already one of state government's largest funding commitments. The law requires states to make additional funding commitment, which will be potentially devastating to the state budget. This unfunded mandate could reduce funding for the education of our children.

We balance our state budget and our residents balance their family and household budgets. This is not the way that Nebraska does business.

It is why Nebraska has joined with 20 other states in a lawsuit challenging the federal health care law. The individual mandate contained in the federal health care law requiring that every citizen purchase health insurance is an unfair requirement. The unfunded mandate on state governments to pay for the federal government's expansion of Medicaid is equally unjust and unfair.

I have said many times, this federal health care law is bad news for Nebraska and bad news for America. The results of this analysis are a first look at how bad. It is unacceptable and unfair to Nebraskans.

Governor\'s Column - Aug. 6, 2010

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

From 1941 through 1945, our nation was engaged in the most expansive war this world has ever known. Nebraskans were called to duty so that our country would never experience the devastation that war had brought to Europe and Asia.

On the home front, military bases were constructed in several communities throughout our state so that young men and women could be trained in the military skills necessary to defeat the tyranny we faced in World War II.

The service members stationed at these bases came from Nebraska and other states throughout the country. What they all found was a second home and family-like moral support. Memories and structures still exist that remind of us of the sacrifices required of that generation. It is among the fields of one of these former bases that raises Nebraska's newest monument.

In 2006, I signed legislation to create a state veterans cemetery system to honor the service that Nebraskans have offered our nation. This system will have a multi-purpose mission. It will exist as a shrine to honor our veterans who have passed, and this cemetery will serve as a location to educate our children about patriotism and the price of freedom. Annual ceremonies held at these facilities on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other significant dates will allow Nebraskans to preserve our heritage and celebrate the principles by which we live.

The first of these state veteran cemeteries is currently under construction in Box Butte County. Land that was once used as an Army Airbase to train paratroopers and glider pilots has been transformed into a landscaped memorial filled with native trees and plants of Western Nebraska. Burial fields exist at the facility to house more than 8,000 veterans in their final resting place. Upright marble headstones, like the ones provided at Arlington National Cemetery, will be placed on each grave.

Once construction is complete, the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance will provide interment and committal services for Nebraska veterans, the veteran's spouse, and their dependent children. Through this facility and the ones to follow, Nebraskans will be able to express their thanks for the sacrifices these veterans and their families endured so that our way of life is forever preserved.

On August 13, I will be in Alliance to dedicate the new cemetery that many Nebraskans already consider hallowed ground. We know that it is not legislation or a declaration that makes a piece of ground sacred, rather our recognition. The spirit of patriotism that flooded this land during WWII remains today. Henceforth, it will be accompanied by the graves of veterans and their family members to demonstrate true patriotism.

I invite all Nebraskans to attend the Dedication Ceremony of Nebraska's first state veteran cemetery. Together, we will demonstrate true gratitude and recognition that the price of freedom is never free.

Senator\'s Column - Aug. 9, 2010

After a very hectic July and early August, the Senate has adjourned for a month, giving me a great opportunity to return home to Nebraska. As you\'re reading this, I\'ve already embarked on a trip across the state and look forward to meeting with many of you at open coffees from Omaha to Oshkosh. I\'ll be offering thoughts on the recent activity in the Senate and am very interested in hearing from you about what our focus should be when Congress reconvenes in September.

The Senate accomplished some positive things before adjourning, notably passage of a child nutrition bill I supported that will improve the quality of the food our children eat every day and ensure families struggling to make ends meet don't have to worry about their kids going hungry. I was so pleased to see the Senate get this passed before recess, and it's paid for out of the budget, not by some fictitious credit card that adds to the national debt. I was also very pleased to see the Veterans\' Committee approve a fix to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that ensures certain Air and National Guard members who were not initially covered will get the benefits they deserve.

August is a very important month for me. My extended time with Nebraskans strongly influences my ideas and decision-making in the Senate. My latest piece of legislation is a good example inspired by your concerns. It would repeal a terrible provision in the health care law that imposes an overwhelming tax filing mandate on businesses large and small across the country, costing them time and money, when they should be focused on hiring and growing their businesses. I introduced it because a host of Nebraska business owners wrote to me to express concern about the mandate. I spoke directly with several of them on the phone and learned just how hard this mandate will hit them.

One business owner even went as far as to do a cost estimate analysis for his business, and found out that the mandate will cost him about $23,000 annually. Because he alerted me to the consequences and other Nebraskans spoke up, it became clear to me how imperative it is to get this provision repealed. It is scheduled for a vote first thing when the Senate reconvenes in September. This is just one example of how you can influence your government beyond the ballot booth. Your participation matters.

Be on the lookout for one of my Open Coffees, which I\'ll be hosting this week and next. I would also encourage you to visit my website, www.johanns.senate.gov, where you can view my Trip Tracker and sign up for my e-Updates. I look forward to visiting with you.

Governor\'s Column - Aug. 13, 2010

Largest Export Deal Secured for Nebraska Commodities

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

This week, a delegation of Nebraska agriculture and commodity group representatives led by Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach took part in a trade mission to Taiwan and Hong Kong. The purpose of the visit was to explore opportunities to secure agricultural exports in two international markets important to Nebraska.

We negotiated a deal that is expected to result in $436 to $516 million in purchases of Nebraska commodities in the next two years. This is the largest export agreement ever negotiated on behalf of the state.

Nebraska corn, soybean and wheat representatives signed a letter of intent to provide up to one million metric tons of corn, and at least 300,000 tons of soybeans and 500,000 tons of wheat to Taiwan importers which will be processed for soybean oil, tofu and other soy-based products, feed for livestock and the flour needed for noodles and bread products.

Maintaining relationships with our international trading partners is a priority. This trade mission was an opportunity to revisit business contacts made three years ago during our last trade mission to several Asian markets. Taiwan and Hong Kong are two markets that rely on imported commodities to fulfill food needs.

In addition to meetings with commodity import groups in Taiwan, the delegation toured a company that has purchased plastic resin made from corn for use in its biotech manufacturing . They also held promotions at two Taipei hotels featuring Nebraska beef. In recent years, Nebraska beef has received higher visibility and exposure through promotional efforts of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Beef Council.

The visit to Hong Kong focused on promoting Nebraska beef. During a trade mission three years ago, the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute agreed to use Nebraska beef in its classes for Hong Kong and mainland China chefs. The delegation returned to the culinary school during this visit where student chefs have the opportunity to work with quality meats in their training. We want Nebraska beef to be the first choice for these graduates as they move on in their professional careers.

Another promotion featuring Nebraska beef has been taking place this year at the Disneyland resort in Hong Kong, which since Christmas has been featuring Nebraska and U.S. beef in its restaurants. We are working hard to expand market share in Asian countries. These promotions help remind customers of the consistent quality of U.S. and Nebraska beef as we attempt to regain our position as the provider of choice in these important markets.

Nebraska farmers are experienced in producing for a global market. Taiwan and Hong Kong are important trading partners for Nebraska agriculture. In 2009, Hong Kong was Nebraska's fifth largest agricultural trade partner. Taiwan was our eighth largest international market.

I applaud the work of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in securing this new commitment for exports. The sales agreement negotiated represents a significant opportunity that is good news for farmers and our state economy.

Treasurer Shane Osborn�s Weekly Column - Aug. 13, 2010

Summertime in Nebraska is the perfect time for a road trip. Families often set off throughout the state to visit Chimney Rock, chart the Louis and Clark Trail, Fort Robinson, or any of our beautiful state parks. Today marks the inception of another Nebraska travel destination: Nebraska\'s First State Veterans Cemetery at Alliance. Located in Box Butte County, this cemetery will be dedicated today, and will serve veterans and their families from Nebraska and surrounding states. The Veterans cemetery differs from other landmarks, however, as it means a great deal more. The cemetery is the final resting place for our servicemen and women, those who served us and our freedom during their time here on earth. It is more than just a series of graves, it is an expression of sincerest gratitude from all who will visit, and admiration for those who served.

This much-anticipated day will celebrate not only the cemetery itself, but the thousands whom it will honor and abet. Our great nation has seen some horrific battles, and we have fought gallantly in the world\'s most devastating wars. Average citizens have answered a call to serve a cause greater than themselves. Nebraska is currently home to some 150,000 Military veterans. These men and women have shown exceptional courage, loyalty, and selflessness throughout their lifetimes by giving of themselves to their country and to their fellow countrymen. It is because of these individuals that we enjoy peace and freedom, and our coveted American lifestyles. They deserve nothing less than a serene and reserved place to be laid to rest; a place where people may come to honor them and to express gratitude for years to come.

This day is the result of much hard work and dedication from Nebraskans all across the state who gave support, most especially those in Alliance who have worked for years towards the goal of creating this cemetery. It is a proud moment for all of us, as we offer respect and admiration to these unselfish men and women who have worked to safeguard our liberty. An official final resting place ensures them the reverence they deserve. Since the idea took hold, some 80 acres of airport ground, once a 1940\'s military Training Base, was donated by the City of Alliance. The cemetery itself will sit on 21 acres of land, ultimately serving 8000 Nebraska veterans.

It is critical that we remember those who chose a life of sacrifice so that we could live we choose. All are invited to Box Butte County this weekend to celebrate and share in this proud occasion, and all are encouraged to stop at Alliance and pay their respects to our Veterans in the years to come.

Treasurer Shane Osborn�s Weekly Column - July 2, 2010

As we celebrate the 234th Birthday of our United States of America, it is fitting to reflect on the heroic acts of our Founding Fathers. 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. By doing so, these men freely and willingly committed high treason. It is easy to picture an antique document, concluded with 56 signatures; and those names are only ink on a faded parchment. But the men who dipped quill into ink made a larger impact than simply signing their names. They chose to do what was noble, regardless of the consequences.

The second and third Presidents of the United States, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were among those who signed. The remaining names are of average men, chosen by their fellow colonists to represent them. Not presidents, war heroes or famed politicians, but merchants, farmers, lawyers, ministers, doctors; men who jeopardized everything for the cause of freedom. They are rarely mentioned in classrooms, books, or films, but, none the less, are our Founding Fathers. By signing, they became fugitives and traitors, and all were subsequently hunted and punished for their courageous defiance.

Patriots like Edward Rutledge, Arthur Middleton, and Thomas Heyward, Jr. were held as POWs, and treated with additional cruelty in the Revolutionary War. William Ellery, Louis Morris, Francis Lewis, and George Clymer, among others, saw their home estates pillaged, damaged, or destroyed. What they had spent their entire lives building and working for was ripped from them by the British Crown. Some paid an even higher price. John Hart, Francis Lewis, Abraham Clark and other signers saw their families receive brutal treatment; Children kidnapped and mistreated, wives atrociously abused, even killed.

These men gave their estates, their families, their sanity, and ultimately their lives. They did so because they knew they were fighting towards a cause greater than themselves. Throughout all the malicious and vindictive acts that were done to them, they remained steadfast in their beliefs, and devoted to their cause.

Happy Fourth of July. May you celebrate and pay tribute to the common men who believed in freedom so deeply that they put their lives in danger and took part in the birth of a new nation. This nation was founded on liberty, and these men were willing to sacrifice everything for that. We should lead our lives with pride and gratitude for the courageous 56, who demonstrated how precious our liberty truly is.

Governor\'s Column - July 2, 2010

Update on Wind Development in Nebraska

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Nebraska has a rich history with wind energy. Nebraskans have been pioneering wind energy since the late 1800s when homesteaders settled the rugged prairie landscape by harnessing the wind to pump water for their homes and livestock. Thousands of windmills still decorate the rolling hills of Nebraska's rangelands and stand in testimony to the legacy of wind energy in Nebraska.

Windmills and other agricultural innovations helped build thriving communities and a strong economy in Nebraska. These early pioneering efforts have now grown businesses in many communities throughout Nebraska, including Beatrice, Valley, Columbus, Alda, and many others.

Nebraskans are once again looking to harness the wind in order to revitalize our communities, protect our natural resources and build a better future for generations of Nebraskans to come. Nebraskans are looking to the state's wind energy potential and so too is the world. International companies such as Katana Summit in Columbus are fostering new employment opportunities and inspiring new generations to call Nebraska home.

Nebraskans are committed to clean energy and energy independence. In April, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 1048 without any opposition to encourage the development, ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities for exporting wind energy from Nebraska. The legislation preserves the benefits of Nebraska's unique public power system and the rights of private landowners.

Today, Nebraska has 73 operational wind turbines at five sites with a total capacity of 152 megawatts, enough to power about 46,500 homes. Two public power utilities, Nebraska Public Power District and Omaha Public Power District, have set goals to increase their use of renewable energy to 10 percent by 2020.

By 2014, Nebraska Public Power District plans to develop or purchase more than 260 Megawatts of wind energy. Nebraskans will have 80 Megawatts of this energy come online soon at Laredo Ridge near Petersburg and another 80 Megawatts in 2012 near Broken Bow. NPPD is seeking bids on an additional 100 Megawatts to be developed between 2012 and 2014.

Omaha Public Power District is planning to develop or purchase more than 100 Megawatts over the next couple of years. OPPD has agreed to purchase up to 40 Megawatts from the Petersburg wind farm. In the coming months, construction will begin in Richardson County on the 60 Megawatt Flatwater Wind Farm.

Wind energy has a bright future in Nebraska. These developments and future ones reflect Nebraska's commitment to clean energy, energy independence, rural economic development and the Good Life for all Nebraskans.

Senator\'s Column - July 11, 2010

Why I Will Oppose The Kagan Nomination

In preparation for the upcoming Senate floor consideration of the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court approaches, I have listened to her hearing before the Judiciary Committee and carefully reviewed her record. Just as I did before my vote on Justice Sonia Sotomayor, I carefully considered her view of the Court\'s role in our government, and whether she is capable of administering justice as a neutral umpire. Based on her admiration of self-proclaimed activist judges and a career driven by political factors above legal rationale, I am not confident that Ms. Kagan would resist the urge to legislate from the bench.

As an advisor in the Clinton White House, she advocated for keeping partial-birth abortions legal. She inserted her own personal views in place of science by editing the scientific conclusions of a medical group, which ultimately convinced the Supreme Court in 2000 to strike down Nebraska\'s ban on this horrific procedure. Setting the law aside in favor of a preferred political agenda, she also advised President Clinton to support abortion-relation amendments that legal counsel at the Department of Justice had concluded to be unconstitutional.

Ms. Kagan has stated she is "not sympathetic" to Second Amendment rights. The right to lawfully own and use firearms is a Constitutional guarantee which judges must seek to protect, not compromise or dismiss lightly. I will not support Supreme Court candidates with such troubling views on this fundamental right.

It is also disconcerting that as Dean of Harvard Law School, she denied full access to military recruiters on campus in defiance of federal law during a time of war. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously against Kagan's position in 2006.

Furthermore, she appears to believe that the interstate commerce clause has virtually no limits, allowing the federal government to require basically anything of its citizens. During her nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma posed a hypothetical situation: What if Congress, for whatever reason, passed a law requiring all Americans to eat three fruits and vegetables per day? Even in this hypothetical instance, Ms. Kagan declined to state whether she would deem such a law unconstitutional. Justices must recognize the importance of defending individual rights and freedoms. Ms. Kagan's struggle to articulate any limits on federal power are troubling and provides insight into how she would rule on the constitutionality of the individual mandate embedded within the recently-passed health care law.

Confirming Supreme Court Justices is one of the most important jobs of the U.S. Senate. The American people deserve a justice who will support and defend individual rights. Unfortunately, Ms. Kagan's activist judicial philosophy and her record of allowing political and personal considerations to drive her legal views make her ill-suited to serve on the nation's highest court.

Governor\'s Column - July 16, 2010

This week I want to spotlight a very special group of Nebraskans: the men and women of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard.

We are in the midst of a very busy and demanding period of time for the Nebraska National Guard. Over the next 12 to 24 months, the men and women of our Nebraska National Guard will be writing another historic chapter to their already impressive legacy of service to their state and nation as they mobilize and deploy again overseas in support of the United States of America.

Right now, approximately 160 members of the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard are already serving overseas in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Among these are soldiers of Lincoln's 313th Medical Company who are in the last weeks of their deployment to Iraq, and members of the Nebraska City-based 192nd Military Police Detachment who are just beginning their mission in Iraq. They are joined by members of the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Security Forces Squadron, who are currently completing a deployment in the Central Command Area of Operations.

They will soon be joined by many others. Recently, thousands of Nebraskans gathered at Lincoln's Seacrest Field to wish farewell to more than 300 members of the Nebraska Army National Guard's 67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade who will soon deploy to Iraq. This was an especially poignant send-off ceremony for soldiers and their families as nearly half are deploying for at least the second time in the last 10 years.

We will also soon be saying farewell to approximately 300 soldiers assigned to the 1st Squadron, 134th Cavalry, who mobilize to support Operation Enduring Freedom at the end of July. These soldiers hail from Lincoln, Fremont, Hastings, and Beatrice and have completed several missions overseas in recent years. They will soon be serving in Afghanistan alongside soldiers of the Iowa Army National Guard.

These Nebraska Army National Guard organizations aren't the only ones facing upcoming deployments. During the next two years, many other Guard units have been identified for potential mobilization.

The largest commitment of personnel will be to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. More than 600 soldiers and air personnel from across the state could be deployed, including: approximately 160 members of the Wahoo and Hastings-based 623rd Engineer Company, 150 members of the 402nd Military Police Battalion headquarters and 100 soldiers from the 195th Forward Support Company, both based in Omaha, as well as nearly 70 members of Grand Island's Company B, 2-135th General Support Aviation Battalion, and members of the 181st and 317th Engineer Firefighting Teams of Norfolk.

In addition, two 60-person Agribusiness Development Teams are also being formed to assist Afghan farmers in redeveloping agricultural infrastructure that has been destroyed by decades of war. The Nebraska Army and Air National Guard nurses are currently involved in a training program for the Afghan Security Forces.

In Iraq, approximately 100 soldiers assigned to units in the 2-135 General Support Aviation Battalion from Lincoln will deploy, in addition to 25 members with the Grand Island-based 935th Aviation Detachment. Finally, 175 soldiers from the 1057th Transportation Company in Chadron and Scottsbluff are expected to mobilize for duty in neighboring Kuwait.

Nearly 50 personnel are expected to support the ongoing peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, including approximately 45 soldiers assigned to Grand Island's 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation and several members of the 1969th Contingency Contracting Team.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Nebraska National Guard, I know that our soldiers and airmen are among the best trained, best equipped and best led forces our nation has ever sent abroad. Our Nebraska National Guard leaders have done a great job of preparing for these missions. I join all Nebraskans in saluting our Guard personnel for their service.

Treasurer Shane Osborn�s Weekly Column - July 16, 2010

Many of our fellow citizens are currently serving in our Military on active duty, and in doing so, are making some enormous sacrifices. It is not until they return to civilian life that they can once again begin to pursue their own personal goals and ambitions. As the cost of a college education rises each year, returning veterans may see financial strife when it comes to picking up where they left off in achieving a degree. It is my belief that we should do all that we can to ensure that our veterans see every opportunity to attaining success in their lives; for all they've given to us, they deserve as much.

Nebraska's 'Golf Fore the Troops' Pro-Am golf tournament set out to serve this need. All the proceeds from this annual event go towards a scholarship fund for US Military men and women, and their families. I am truly proud to be involved with such an event. Since the tournament began in 2007, over $40,000 has been raised to assist returning veterans in their pursuit of a higher education. Both military experience and advanced education instill values of confidence, leadership, and self-worth. As a former member of the United States Military and a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Naval ROTC Program, this event is one that is very close to my heart.

I encourage you to get involved in this year's 'Golf Fore the Troops' tournament. It will take place on July 26th, 2010, at Lincoln's Firethorn Golf Club, and will include 27 holes, a cocktail hour and dinner with featured speakers, as well as an auction. This year's auction items include a trip to Las Vegas, and tickets to the Kentucky Derby; the proceeds of which will all go towards the scholarship fund. Our event is made possible by an outstanding group of sponsors: Nelnet, Bob Bennie Wealth Management, Time Warner Cable, and Snitily Carr. To sign-up to play in the event, please visit golfforethetroops.com. If you are not a golfer, you can still get involved by visiting our website and taking a look at our full list of auction items.

Treasurer\'s Weekly Column - July 9, 2010

Mid-summer is hardly the time to turn your thoughts to school. Most moms and dads have their minds on little league games and swimming lessons, and not yet on back-to-school shopping or class trips. Sending kids off to college may seem light-years away at this point. However, you may want to take a quick break from the heat to think about the not-so-distant future.

The greatest tool we can give our children to prepare them for success in their lifetimes is access to a college education. It is estimated that individuals holding degrees will make close to $1 million more throughout their lives than individuals without degrees. With tuition and college expenses rising every year, early and secure savings will go a long way. Opening a Nebraska 529 College Savings Plan is one of the smartest ways you can save for a college education.

By putting aside money each year to pay college tuition later in your child�s life, you are giving them more than just a financial advantage. You are giving them the confidence to set and achieve specific and structured goals for themselves. Acknowledging that a higher education is their greatest instrument for success instills in them values of hard work and self worth. So when it finally comes time for them to begin their college education, they can focus on choosing a school and deciding on a field of study.

Nebraska�s 529 Plan brings with it a variety of tax-savings advantages. Account holders in Nebraska may deduct up to $2500 in plan contributions from their federal adjusted gross income each year if married and filing separately, and up to $5000 if filing jointly. Earnings in a Nebraska 529 account grow completely tax-deffered; your investment will grow faster, as you will not be paying taxes on the money you save. And when it finally comes time for you to make qualified withdrawals for education expenses, those withdrawals will remain federally tax-free, as well as state income tax-free. It is our goal to make the dream of attending college a reality for all Nebraska families.

With no annual minimal contribution required, the Nebraska 529 Plan is accessible to all families, no matter of annual family income. But, even the smallest contributions can make a great difference; every little bit that you invest will add up. The money in your account remains untaxed, so that the earlier you start saving, the more time your money will have to mature and accumulate. Just the same, the more you can invest, the better prepared you will ultimately be. You are in control of your investments, your money, and your account.

A Nebraska 529 College Savings Plan is an efficient and safe way to put away for college expenses, and to invest in the future education of a loved one. A little goes a long way, and the money saved is protected by several tax-savings advantages. So take a break from your busy summer to start investing in the future today; you will be glad you did. For more information on opening a Nebraska 529 Plan, visit treasurer.org.

Extension Update - July 9, 2010

Weekly ET/Irrigation Update: Crop water use has been relatively low as indicated by the ETgage readings. From Juy 1 to July 8, the corn used approximately 1.1 to 1.3 inches of moisture and the soybeans were slightly less than that. During the same time my rain gauge at the site I monitor showed 1.1� of rain. As of late last week, most of our soil profiles were still full. The relatively low water use can be attributed to cooler than normal temperatures accompanied by high humidity levels.

You might wonder, �How much water does corn require for various stages of growth and development? It varies from year to year but our NebGuide �Irrigation Management for Corn� had some typical estimates. They were: V12 to Early tassel (R1) � 1.8�; Early tassel to silk (R2) � 3.8�; Silk to Blister (R3) � 3.8�; Blister to Beginning Dent � 3.8�; and Beginning Dent to Full Dent � 3.8�. Hopefully we�ll continue to receive some timely rains so we won�t need to irrigate much? For the complete NebGuide go to: http://cropwatch.unl.edu/web/corn/water.

Turf Issues: With the wet humid conditions, it�s not surprising that we are experiencing diseases in our lawns. Specifically, the ones we have been seeing include Brown Patch, Summer Patch and Ascochyta Leaf Blight in lawns. Continue reading for highlights of these diseases. For detailed Extension bulletins, use the web addresses listed or stop in the office for a copy. For most cases, the damage has already been done and fungicide application would not be a benefit. Warm, arid conditions would be the prescription to order if we could.

Brown patch causes roughly circular patches of dead and dying grass. Tan colored, irregularly shaped leaf lesions with reddish margins are found on leaf blades. Preventive applications of Prostar (commercial use), Bayleton, and chlorothalonil (Daconil) do a fairly good job of suppressing brown patch when applied at monthly intervals in June, July, and August. Curative applications of chlorothalonil beginning a few days after symptoms of brown patch develop may suppress injury. In many cases, lawns damaged by brown patch recover in two to three weeks, provided the outbreak is not sustained by continuous hot, humid weather and treatment may not be necessary. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1909/build/g1909.pdf

Summer Patch disease is caused by a fungus attacking turfgrass roots in spring. Fungicide applications should be made in April and May is when fungicide applications are effective in controlling the disease. Summer patch symptoms often do not appear until summer when function of infected roots is lowered. Cultural practices can reduce the degree of injury. These include proper irrigation, avoiding nitrogen fertilization during summer and syringing (lightly irrigating) the turf at midday to cool grass blades. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1913/build/g1913.pdf

Ascochyta Tip Blight- Patches or large areas of lawn suddenly turn straw or tan color, resembling drought stress. Leaf blades have bleached white tips and the blade is constricted where dead tissue merges with green tissue. Considered a minor disease related to environmental and poor management stress. Turfgrass usually recovers in one month or less without treatment. Fungicides are generally not recommended or needed. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02901.html

Upcoming Events:
July 22 & August 12� ATV Safety Training, Aurora Airport. For information and to register, call 694-6174.

Governor\'s Weekly Column - July 9, 2010

2010 National Special Olympics in Nebraska

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Nebraska will make history this summer by hosting the largest sporting event ever held in our state. We have been honored to host the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, July 18-23 in Lincoln. The week-long event showcases the Special Olympics movement with 13 sporting competitions and programs in health, wellness and education. Nearly 3,000 athletes, 1,000 coaches and 15,000 friends and family members will come to Nebraska to celebrate the achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

The USA National Special Olympics occurs only every four years. This year, the spotlight will be on Nebraska. We are fortunate to have this unique opportunity to set the national stage upon which thousands of athletes will compete this month.

I am very proud of the outstanding support Nebraskans have shown already. There has been an extraordinary outpouring of support from Nebraska companies, organizations and individuals across the state that are sponsoring the Games and have contributed financially.

Nebraska companies have pledged countless volunteer hours. More than 100 companies have pledged nearly 7,500 paid days off for employees so they can volunteer at the Games. Thousands of individuals throughout the state have volunteered on their own as well, which is invaluable in meeting and exceeding the 8,000 volunteers needed during the Games. This kind of generosity and support is special. It shows the giving, warmhearted character of Nebraskans that our visitors will recognize and appreciate.

Several State Agencies have also been involved with efforts surrounding the Special Olympics. In particular, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Travel and Tourism Division at Department of Economic Development are all actively involved in assisting with the games in a variety of ways.

The Department of Health and Human Services is working to ensure that individuals from the Beatrice State Developmental Center (BSDC) will be in the stands cheering on all the Special Olympics athletes from across the nation. On a very special note, the BSDC Choir will sing the National Anthem when the torch runners stop briefly in Beatrice, and BSDC athletes will walk along the route with law enforcement officers.

The State Patrol is joining its law enforcement counterparts in providing a safe and secure environment for the athletes, coaches, their families and the public taking part in this world class event. During the games, the State Patrol will take part in one of the world�s largest civilian airlifts. Troopers will provide traffic control for the thousands of athletes and coaches arriving every 90 seconds via private jets at Lincoln�s airfield.

The Department of Economic Development�s Travel and Tourism Division is also actively involved. During the games, they will host an activity booth at Pershing Auditorium for athletes, their families, and the general public. Attendees can have their photos taken with a cutout of Tyler, Tourism�s cartoon mascot that helps educate Nebraska school children about our state, visit the coloring pages station, and learn more about Nebraska. Athletes and their families will receive welcome bags containing 2010 Nebraska Travel Guides, and other goodies for the families to enjoy.

The generosity and support that all Nebraskans have contributed to the Games will be returned in many ways. The economic impact the Games will have on Nebraska will be exceptional. As thousands of athletes, fans, family members and friends visit Nebraska this summer, they will take advantage of our wonderful attractions, hotels and restaurants. The Games are expected to have a $40 million economic impact in our state. Even more significant are the ways Nebraskans will be changed as a whole in witnessing the true abilities, courage and strength of people with intellectual disabilities.

The Games will touch the entire state of Nebraska. Law enforcement officials from across the nation will run the �Flame of Hope� throughout 70 Nebraska communities to kick off the Games. The final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, comprised of law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and support team members, will increase awareness for Special Olympics throughout our state. The torch will be brought to the Opening Ceremony in Lincoln on July 18.

I hope in some way you are taking part in this extraordinary event this summer. Whether you donate, volunteer or are a fan in the stands, you will be helping make history in Nebraska. The Games are only a week-long event, but people�s lives will be changed forever.

Extension Update - July 1, 2010

Weekly ET/Irrigation Update: The ETgage I read which is located just South of Aurora went down 2.0" during the 7 day period ending July 1st. This equates to a crop water use of 1.76" for the adjacent V12 corn. No rain was recorded during this time. As I write this on July 1, we have a 50% chance of rain this coming weekend. By the time you read this, the 50% chance may or may not have resulted in rain and if we haven't received a significant amount, then we'll be irrigating corn. Soybeans in the R1 (beginning bloom) stage used approximately 1.8" and the later planted beans in V3 used 1.2". As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago though, Dr. Jim Specht recommends to defer soybean irrigation to the R3-stage (Beginning Pod Elongation). This method is for fields whose soils have a high water-holding capacity (e.g., silty clay loam soils) and in years when the field water content is at full capacity at planting or emergence. In this strategy, the producer allows soybeans to extract water it needs for vegetative growth and early reproductive development from the soil moisture present at emergence and any postemergence rainfall stored in the root zone prior to the R3 stage.

Rain Gardens Offer Aesthetics and Help Manage Water Runoff: Rain gardens are an aesthetically pleasing method of storm water management that homeowners can build themselves to reduce flooding from rain runoff and control potential runoff pollutants.

A rain garden is a small depression in the ground with plants in it and soil piles, or berms, around it on three sides. A rain garden captures about 90 percent of runoff from the roof, driveway and other landscaped areas contributing to it. Instead of potential pollutants, such as fertilizers, washing back into the waterways, a rain garden allows the water to filter harmlessly into the soil. Water should remain in the garden for less than 48 hours, which increases plant health and decreases mosquito problems.
Rain garden size depends on the size of the house\'s roof draining to it, but the average garden is between 100 and 300 square feet. Gardens are 4 to 8 inches deep with a level bottom. Rain gardens should be planted 10 or more feet from the home and 25 feet from well and septic systems to prevent water backup in to these areas. To prevent erosion problems, there should be an overflow point to allow excess water to escape over the top of the soil berm. Only native or adapted plants should be used. Consult an expert when choosing plants for the wetter base of a rain garden and the drier berm sideslopes. Plants should be fertilized and watered like a normal garden during establishment and then as needed in dry conditions.
Rain gardens are a relatively new idea, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently received a USDA grant to study rain gardens in eastern Nebraska and help develop improved designs and recommendations. For now, UNL Extension has three NebGuides online that help homeowners decide how to construct the best rain garden to fit their needs. Visit water.unl.edu and look on the left under Water Information. Click on Lawns, Landscapes and Gardens, and from there look for a link to information on rain gardens.

Grub control: On lawns with a history of white grub damage and where preventive type insecticides are used; the best time to apply these insecticides is from the third week of June to mid-July. Insecticides for preventative grub control include Chlorantraniliprole, Imidacloprid, and Halofenozide. Trichlorfon can be applied for curative control if white grubs exceed threshold levels (8-10 per square foot) later in the season.

Upcoming Events:
July08 & July 22- ATV Safety Training, 8:30 am 12:00 pm, Aurora Airport. For information and to register, call 694-6174.

Sen. Johann\'s Weekly Column - June 21, 2010

Pending Trade Agreements Crucial for Jobs and Exports

Most of us go through our day without knowing where our food, drink, and other products come from, but it matters more than you might think. There\'s a decent chance that you\'re reading this with a cup of coffee or a soft drink; and there\'s a better chance that those coffee beans or that sugar came from Colombia. Most Colombian exporters pay no tariffs to sell to you in the American market; and exporters from Panama or South Korea receive similar treatment. But this is not the case for American goods sold into those three countries. Our exporters must pay as much as a 35 percent tariff, which makes it difficult for American products to compete. We\'ve signed trade agreements with these three countries that would lower or eliminate these barriers, but regrettably, they sit idle on the shelf waiting for the President to send them to Congress.

As far back as 2006, representatives from the United States reached out to these countries and negotiated trade agreements that would level the playing field for American producers. The agreements were signed by both sides, but cannot go into effect until the President green-lights them to Congress, which must then vote to implement them. Farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and businesses are all waiting on the President to take such action, which he could do literally any day now. Yet the silence from the White House is deafening.

This silence became even more concerning earlier this month when the Economic Affairs Minister from the South Korean Embassy told a gathering of American pork producers, \"The U.S. runs the risk of losing the Korean market within a decade if we can\'t get a free-trade agreement ratified.\" He went on to note that South Korea has been busy negotiating similar trade agreements with Canada and India, and expects to sign one with the European Union by January. Letting this opportunity pass us by would be a devastating and costly mistake.

The vast extent of these losses is projected in a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which outlines two very different but significant consequences. First, the report estimates that American exports stand to increase by as much as $40 billion due directly to the implementation of these agreements. And secondly, should we fail to implement the pending agreements, it would mean the loss of American jobs - as many as 380,000 jobs. To put this in perspective, our economy\'s private sector gained 41,000 jobs in May. If the economy continues to grow at the same pace, it would take until April of 2011 just to make up for the loss of jobs due to inaction on these trade agreements.

Earlier this year, President Obama committed his Administration to doubling U.S. exports by 2015. There cannot be a clearer path to help achieve this goal than the free trade agreements that are so close to the finish line. Our country\'s businesses, farms, and economy are waiting and hoping for the President to show the promised leadership to advance American trade.

Sen. Johann\'s Weekly Column - June 28, 2010

Updated Financial Regulatory Bill Misses the Mark on Reform

Since the economic meltdown, momentum has been building in Washington to implement a reform bill that, above all else, would prevent our financial system from ever again failing us in the way it did in 2008. Yet amazingly, after two years of debate, the version agreed upon late last week by House and Senate conferees misses that mark by an astounding margin. If this updated bill passes both houses of Congress, American banks and businesses would face a new law that imposes new stifling federal regulations without fixing what went wrong. Small businesses, community banks, and citizens across Nebraska still reeling from the recession and just starting to regain their footing will be met with another punch.

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the bill is that no one truly knows what the impact will be. Just last week, after the final legislation was announced, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (whom the bill is named after) stated, \"No one will know until this is actually in place how it works.\" Hearing this was tremendously disappointing. If endorsing this bill requires not much more than a wing and a prayer, that\'s a clear sign to me that we\'re not close to producing legislation to address the right issues.

However, there are some aspects of the bill we do know, and it doesn\'t look promising for Nebraska, which had little if anything to do with the financial crisis. The bill creates a new federal bureaucracy and empowers it with the authority to arbitrarily regulate any \"financial product\" it deems \"abusive.\" With such an open-ended definition, there really are no boundaries. If the bill becomes law, this bureaucracy will have an enormous and unchecked ability to regulate almost anything.

Just as troubling are the rules and regulations the law itself imposes on small banks that were victims, not the perpetrators, of the crisis. One Nebraska banker recently wrote to me, \"Banks like mine lack the internal resources to adhere to a multitude of new laws and regulations and would have to cut back - and in some cases terminate - operations ... It will make it dramatically harder for my bank to serve our customers and our local community.\"

Incredibly, the bill also completely ignores two causes of our current financial woes: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. After contributing to the implosion of the housing market, they received billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded bailouts. Giving Fannie and Freddie a free pass puts Americans at risk of future bailouts. A reform bill that ignores these two mortgage giants is simply unacceptable.

The bottom line is that this so-called reform bill is far from true reform: it won\'t prevent future crises. It will increase the power and number of federal bureaucracies - the very institutions that failed to foresee and prevent the crisis two years ago; and it will impose crippling new regulations on many Nebraskans who played no role in it. I sincerely believe Congress would be better off recycling this 2,300 page monstrosity and starting over with targeted reforms that address the systemic problems that led to the collapse.

Extension Update June, 25, 2010

Weekly ET/Irrigation Update: From June 17 - 24th, the ET measured 1.5 inches. According to the NeRain reports, Hamilton County received anywhere from 3.5 inches at Hordville to 7.6 inches at Hampton during that time. Corn at the V10 stage has a coefficient of 0.69" so it used about 1.0". Earlier planted soybeans would be using around 0.90" and later planted soybeans would only be using around 0.60" of water a week. Clearly we still had a full soil profile on June 24th. For more information about irrigation management go to http://water.unl.edu/web/cropswater/nawmdn.

Flood Resources: With most of Nebraska\'s counties have been affected by recent flooding, growers are faced with soil fertilizer, replant, and insurance questions. Information on these topics is available on CropWatch. Check out links to information from other states and national resources. Go to cropwatch.unl.edu or extension.unl.edu for flooding resources.

Green Snap: We are now in the window of time in which our corn crop is vulnerable to green snap. Some green snap has already occurred with the high winds that occurred in the early morning hours on June 22nd. The corn crop is subject to snapping during the fast growth period while in the vegetative stage. The combination of good fertility, abundant moisture and daytime temperature in the upper 80's to low 90's with evening temperatures remaining in the mid 70s or higher creates a condition of extremely fast plant growth. During this time, plant cells are rapidly dividing. They are also stretching and filled tight with moisture like a balloon with too much air in it.

Fields with optimum fertility and moisture usually experience the worst green snap however other factors can be involved. Use of Phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D and Dicamba stimulate growth increasing the chance for green snap. Hybrids with strong roots tend to green snap more than those with week roots which allow the plant to lean vs. breaking. Some hybrids are just more brittle than others. Usually these are the faster growing hybrids. Look for green snap or brittle snap ratings on your hybrids when making your selections. Another factor may be your tillage system. Corn on conventionally tilled fields tends to grow faster than corn on high residue fields. Row orientation can make a difference also but since the wind direction during these storms is unpredictable, there is no best direction.

Green snap is difficult to deal with since it usually occurs late enough in the season that re-planting corn is not an option and many times residual herbicides have been applied which will not allow soybeans to be re-planted. Let's hold our breath for a week or two while we get through this period and hopefully we will not have to think about re-planting due to green-snap. But, should severe green-snap or hail occur that wipes out the crop, then we need to think of planting something on those acres even if it's a cover crop to protect our soil and feed the important soil biological life.

Upcoming Events:
July08 & July 22- ATV Safety Training, 8:30 am 12:00 pm, Aurora Airport. For information and to register, call 694-6174.

Treasurer Shane Osborn�s Weekly Column - June 25, 2010

With summer comes time for family gatherings. Memories are made, and families enjoy vacations, barbeques, sporting events, and leisure. None of us delight in the topic of our health and financial security as we get older. It is a subject that is often kept under the rug, as it can be awkward and unpleasant. However, none of us desire for financial worry or the stress of health trouble to fall onto our children or our spouses. It is an smart choice to have that discussion today.

The State of Nebraska offers a simple and dependable solution in our Long-Term Care Savings Plan. It is a smart method of protecting the quality of life for yourself and those you love. Opening a Nebraska Long-Term Care Savings Plan allows you the freedom to continue to live your life the way you choose. You can be at peace knowing that you've prepared yourself for the unexpected turns life may take.

A Long-Term Care Savings Account is a state tax-sheltered account opened at one of our participating banks or credit unions. The plan is efficient, versatile, and all Nebraskans are eligible. Your health needs are looked out for, and you can rest easy knowing that your children are relieved of financial responsibility at worrisome times. You also place yourself in the driver's seat when it comes to decision-making in your own life.
Money saved in a LTCSP can be used to pay long-term care needs for spouses or others in which the account holder has an insurable interest. After the age of 50, tax-free withdrawals can also be made to pay for long-term care insurance. What's more, the money can be put to a variety of uses: home modification, medicinal and hospice care, at-home care, therapeutic and rehabilitative needs, or nursing and assisted living care. The plan is flexible and versatile, so that any potential health burden can be met with financial confidence.

So as you enjoy summer with your loved ones, remember that planning ahead is a wise choice. If you feel that now is the time to make such a positive investment, then contact a bank manager from one of our participating institutions about opening your own LTCSP account. Invest in your future, and in that of your loved ones today. For more information about opening a Nebraska Long-Term Care Savings Plan, and a list of participating institutions, please visit treasurer.org.