News

The Johnson County Historical Society announced that it will open a new exhibit on Oct 8, 2019. The new exhibit is housed in the building of a former implement dealer and is located on south 3rd street behind the museum’s Cornerstone Building. The new exhibit pays tribute to the agriculture and transportation industries of Johnson County.

“Obviously, agriculture is the backbone of Johnson County,” said Sarah Williamson, president of the society. “We have always wanted to honor the ag industry in Johnson County. The acquisition of the building behind our Cornerstone Museum afforded the space to properly display and preserve the many artifacts that have been generously donated by members and friends of the museum.”

Sterling residents as well as visitors from other communities driving through downtown Sterling have probably noticed that construction on the exterior of the new Sterling Community Center is almost completed, with the exception of installing new windows. Windows are expected to be done early in October.

The Sterling Community Association is hoping to have the Community Center open to the public by Spring/Summer 2020. According to Mandy Goracke, a Sterling Community Association member and officer, there were definitely delays in construction because of the amount of rain received in the Sterling area this year.

The new Sterling Community Center is a 60’ x 140’ building that includes a full kitchen, meeting room, restrooms, an event room with a stage that will also have the functionality for a basketball and volleyball court as needed.

Before a packed crowd of fans from Southeast Nebraska, Nyle Bartling of Unadilla knocked out his opponent, Austin Levine of Wisconsin, in 15 seconds during his first pro fight and took home the 205 Light/Heavyweight title for Dynasty Combat Sports. This event was held at the Kimmel Ag Expo Center in Syracuse on September 21.

“It may not have been a record, but it was quick,” said Bartling.

Bartling began fighting in the Mixed Martial Arts one year ago. His team is with the Minner-Gray Performance and Fitness organization in Nebraska City. During his first amateur fight, Bartling said he knocked out Anthony Hall, an opponent from Chicago.

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Laverne Debilzan #76529, age 77, died Saturday, September 21 at 5:25 a.m. at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI). His sentence began on September 12, 2012. Debilzan was serving an 11- 17 year sentence for sexual assault of a minor and assault by a confined person out of Hall County.

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Homestead National Monument of America is looking for practicing artists wanting to find inspiration from our rich cultural and natural resources in 2020. The deadline for accepting applications is October 31, 2019, via mail or email. Artists will be notified of selections by the end of November. Artists can be fine art painters, sculptors, fine art photographers, performers, writers, video/filmmakers, composers, etc. These artists will channel their individual talent into one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by the homestead story and park environment.

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The Sterling Board of Education adopted the 2019-2020 tax request resolution during its regular board meeting on September 16. Prior to the regular board meeting, two hearings were held concerning the budget and tax request. In this tax request resolution, the Sterling Board of Education set its tax rate at $1.016492 per $100 of assessed value. This will be a 2.38 percent increase.

The tax request for the General Fund was set at $2,830,303; for the bond fund at $170,017; for the Special Building Fund at $90,253; and for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund (QCPUF) at $72,507.

Sterling Public Schools must make a decision about whether to continue playing sixman football or change to eight-man football for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This decision has to be finalized with the Nebraska School Activities Association by November 1.

Mike Stauffer, a Tecumseh native who serves as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, was presented with the 2019 Dallas Green Award in a ceremony during the Phillies baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on September 10.

Stauffer’s family was invited to the Phillies stadium for the game. “My family is extremely important to me. I’m just blessed my family was in attendance to see me receive this award. Philadelphia has always been 1st class: They flew my family in for the award, which included both hotels and tickets for 2 games. Our celebration was watching the game in the Presidential Suite. We enjoyed spending time with the Green family during the baseball game,” Stauffer said.

“I feel honored and privileged to receive the Dallas Green Award. Dallas meant so much to the city of Philadelphia and to all the people he worked with during his time in Major League Baseball,” added Stauffer.