Elmwood Nebraska News - April 14, 2021

Village Office   Cass County News   Library News   SUBMIT NEWS    

Bike Share in Elmwood Nebraska

I am SOOOO excited, the new Elmwood Bike Share program is amazing and such a great addition to Elmwood and our community. 

What is the bike-share program? Quite simply there are five bikes available for the public to use for FREE! Yes, you heard it. 

In coordination with St Paul Methodist Church, United Methodist Health Fund, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Bits & Pieces five bicycles are available to check out (just like a library book) and ride around town, to the park, or on the trail. 

• To check out a bike, you must sign a waiver. General bike share program rules-
  must show a drivers license at check out
• 12-17 can rent bikes with a parent at check out. Parents take full responsibility and sign a waiver for their child.
• The bike is due back by the next Bits and Pieces business day. Plans are in the works to get a key dropbox. (Stay tuned.)
• The condition of the bike is checked at check out and when it is checked back in
  when you check out a bike you are responsible for the bike. Any damage will result in a fee.
  failure to return the bike by the due date will result in the suspension of your ability to check out bikes.
• No holds/reservations on bikes will be allowed
• We do not provide helmets. You can bring your own helmet to use while riding the bike.
• Have fun!!!!
• 

Funding for this project was provided in part by the United Methodist Health Fund, Hutchinson, Kansas.💗 About 30 people attended the official ribbon cutting on April 12th and I was even the first person to check out a bike. It's easy and once you are registered you just add the next date and time to the notebook.

The Elmwood Library is open. Regular hours with just a few adjustments for social distancing.

Easy Library Links

Online Card Catalog https://elmwoodpubliclibrary.follettdestiny.com/ 

Libby Library App https://help.libbyapp.com/index.htm 

Elmwood St. Paul UMC Cass County Food Bank

There is a new location for the Cass County Food Bank.

The Food Bank has moved to the previous Village Office location. 

They have a new space at the previous Village Board building!

Parking is improved and there is now more space and room for freezers, food storage, and a permanent distribution site. Please let people know about the new location who could use this service.

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.

May Fitness Challenge

May fitness challenge-Run, bike, or walk. The highest number of miles completed for each group will win a prize!! A prize will also be awarded for the most posts/updates to the Facebook page.

Sign up here or contact Nicole at the United Methodist Church for a tracking form.

Elmwood Farmers Market News 

Look Look, we have new signs for this year's Farmer's Market!!! 

A pre-season opening will happen on May 1st in coordination with the Bess Streeter Aldrich House Plant Swap. 

Elmwood Park 

Mary 1st 8:00 am - Noon

VENDORS - No fee, no mandatory number of times to set up. Join our Elmwood Market Vendor group here for more details or contact Dawn via email 

A new exhibit debuts at the Bess Streeter Aldrich House, 204 East F Street, Elmwood

Every weekend through Sunday, April 25, 1 to 4 p.m.

Come to the beautiful 1922 Prairie Mansion home of Nebraska Hall of Fame Author Bess Streeter Aldrich to see a wide variety of transportation collectibles shared by their owners.

Collectibles from the Route 66 collection of Linda & Ken Glantz, Murdock, will be showcased in the living room while other contributors share model cars, train collectibles, oil/gas items, pedal cars, model airplanes, horse tack, and other transportation-related items.

Besides seeing these artifacts, guests are invited to take a personal tour of the home and learn more about Mrs. Aldrich, her literary contributions, and her years in Elmwood.

Send your updates, announcements, and photos of the events, at editor@elmwoodnebraska.com  

   Don't forget to send me your news 

Village Updates

Board meetings are open to the public and held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

The meetings are held at the new Village Board office located at the Learning Center on the south side of town. 

Official agendas are posted the day before at the Post Office, Gas Station, and Village Office. Prior to the posting of the agenda, meeting items can be added to the meeting. At the end of each meeting is a Public Comment Section. Attendees have three minutes to speak about anything at this time. Further discussion on the topic can then be added to the next board meeting.  

Next Board Meeting 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

 7:00 pm

The agenda is posted at the Elmwood C-Store, the post office, and the Village office.

Minutes can be viewed at the Village office or can be found online.

ELMWOOD VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES

Wouldn't it be amazing if the board meetings were FULL every time? This is your opportunity to be involved, be "in the know" and learn how to influence how your community grows, how improvements can be made, and how you can participate in the steps needed to MAKE IT HAPPEN.

As of January 2021, the Village of Elmwood requests that all utility bills be deposited in the new dropbox. 

Village Office Hours

Monday 8:00 - Noon

Tuesday 8:00 - Noon & 12:30 -4:30

Wednesday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday 8:00 - Noon & 12:30 -4:30

Friday CLOSED 

Take It Or Leave It Pantry

The free pantry is here to serve our community. It is for neighbors helping neighbors. Take what you need or leave what you can.

Here are some ideas that may be useful:

• Pasta
• Spaghetti sauce
• Canned soup
• Granola bars and snacks
• Fruit snacks
• Dry soup mixes
• Canned meat (chicken, tuna etc)
• Boxed prepared meal kits (hamburger helper etc) 

Elmwood #LittleFreePantry

The Little Free Pantry is located between Hufstader Chiropractor, the Elmwood Meat Market, and the Village Hall.  

Online services are available on their Facebook page.

Elmwood Christian Church

Virtual Sunday Services via Zoom. Stay in touch with your congregational members.

Come on in at 9:30 am for some socializing and catching up.

Service starts at 10:00 am

Let's make your New Years Resolution is to find just ONE thing positive in Elmwood and SHARE it with others.

We are currently serving hard ice cream in dishes.
we have 8 different flavors to choose from.

Elmwood C Store
402-994-3305

---------------------

Area News    

  Front Row- Left to right: CeCe Hastreiter, Melissa Holder, Natalie McGovern
Back Row-Left to right: Peyton Banks, Marrissa Charley-Smith, Wade Mumford

Louisville Food Pantry
OPEN: every Thursday, 6:00-7:00pm
LOCATION: 304 Main Street, Louisville

Please come and pick up what you need for your household or a friend’s.
We have canned goods, boxed meals, breakfast items, frozen meats, bread, eggs, baking ingredients, cleaning supplies, personal care items, diapers, and wipes.

Dan Witte, PT, DPT, OCS
Witte Physical Therapy

Louisville Clinic
1268 E Henry St Ste 1
PO Box 68
Louisville, NE 68037
phone: 402.234.3333
fax: 844.272.6479

Plattsmouth Clinic
205 S 23rd St Ste 1
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
phone: 402.298.4747
fax: 844.272.6479

Hooper Clinic
111 Main St
Hooper, NE 68031
phone: 402.654.2121
fax: 844.272.6479
www.wittephysicaltherapy.com 

Demolition of the old railroad bridge on Highway 1 in Murray started March 1st. One lane traffic is being electronically controlled, so please be patient at the lights when waiting, then driving through. Work is expected to continue through the summer months, so plan your travel accordingly. Be careful, watch for workers and machinery and make safety the priority.

“Bag the Butts” for World No Tobacco Day

Cigarette waste is the #1 littered item on the planet. These butts are filled with toxic cancer-causing chemicals that get into our soil, groundwater, lakes, streams, sidewalks, and playgrounds.

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.

Please see the attached flyer & press release. Have a great weekend.

-------------------

KCCB Annual Membership Drive

BECOME A MEMBER >>

---------------------------