Week of January 29, 2026
Week of January 29, 2026
Candidate filings for the 2026 primary election continue in Kimball County, with Jamie Bright officially filing for the position of Kimball County Clerk of the District Court Bright currently works for the Kimball County Extension Office and is the first candidate to file for the position following the announcement that longtime Clerk of the District Court Deb Diemoz will not seek re-election. Bright said her decision to file was driven by a desire to serve the community and support the...
A list of elected offices to be filled in 2026 can be seen in the public notice above this report. The filing deadline for incumbents is February 17, 2026. The filing deadline for non-incumbents is March 2, 2026. For further information or to file for office, contact: Cathleen A. Sibal, Kimball County Clerk 2nd Floor-Courthouse 114 E. 3rd St., Ste. 6, Kimball, NE 69145 (308)...
Kimball residents received reassuring news this week regarding the future of Main Street Market as its owner Legacy Coop looks to sell the grocery store. Store manager Troy Harper told the Observer that the “doors will remain open until new owners officially take over.” If this proves to be the case, it will provide continuity for customers and employees as ownership discussions continue. While the sale of the market has not yet been finalized, Harper’s statement offers some reassurance amid ongoing community concern. Store operations...
The Kimball Public Library is excited to help spread the word about a fun winter event that’s sure to put your problem-solving skills to the test. On Feb. 1, the Friends of the Kimball Library will be hosting their Annual Puzzle Contest, and the library will be buzzing with concentration, friendly competition, and plenty of “aha!” moments. The contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. and is designed for two-person teams, making it a perfect activity to enjoy with a friend, family member, or puzzle partner. Entry into the contest is $25 per team....
The Village of Dix continues to work through elevated nitrate levels in its drinking water supply, with village officials emphasizing transparency, ongoing testing and protective measures for residents. According to testing conducted by the State of Nebraska, a nitrate level of 11.6 milligrams per liter was recorded on Friday, Jan. 16. In addition, an official drinking water notice distributed to residents reports an average nitrate concentration of 12 milligrams per liter, based on two samples...
Former Kimball Chief of Police Jose Ruiz has shared additional details regarding his move to the Sidney Police Department, where he has accepted a position as lieutenant. Ruiz said the decision was influenced by opportunities for professional growth within a larger department. He explained that he believed “the City of Sidney, being a larger municipality, had more room for growth,” and that his prior experience would be better utilized there. Ruiz noted that his background, including experience gained while working in Cheyenne, Wyoming,...
The Kimball City Council on Jan. 20 took up Resolution 2025-15, which would have established a City of Kimball Personnel Committee. Discussion centered on whether such a committee would be helpful for communication and oversight, or whether it could create confusion regarding roles already assigned by statute. Legal counsel explained that a personnel committee is not required by state law, and that some Nebraska cities use them while others do not, depending on local needs and preferred levels of council involvement. Council members raised...
Good morning! Brrrr was the word of the day this past weekend as temperatures hit the single digits. I was one of the lucky ones who was able to stay inside, read before the fire and drink gallons of coffee. I have great sympathy for those who are forced to be outside in such weather conditions, especially if that might be for hours, not just chores, in and out. It brings back memories of falling on snow covered ice, frost bitten fingers, and un accessible mail boxes! However, now we are currently enjoying early spring time temperatures and...
Kimball vs. Mithcell On January 20, Kimball hosted the Mitchell Tigers in the first round of the SPVA Conference Basketball Tournament. The Longhorns put together an excellent second quarter (outscoring the Tigers 27-5) as they held a commanding 43-16 lead at the break. Kimball never looked back in the second half as they cruised to a 71-45 victory. With the win, the team advanced to the semifinals at North Platte Community College on Friday night to take on Hershey in a rematch from earlier in...
The wrestling Lady Longhorns are a team on the rise, as they’ve shown all season. Here are their results from the recent Hemngford, WTC and Chadron tournaments. Hemingford Invite ● 100 lbs: Barbera Early – 1st ● 130 lbs: Emaline Tabor – 3rd ● 145 lbs: Jade O’Rourke – 3rd ● 155 lbs: Becca Koski – 4th ● 190 lbs: Noley Brower – 4th ● 235 lbs: McKenzie Howard – 1st WTC Tournament ● 100 lbs: Barbera Early – 1st ● 130 lbs: Emaline Tabor – 2nd ● 145 lbs: Jade...
Heidi Laura Heidemann (Kemling) of Lincoln, NE passed away on Thursday, January 15th, 2026, in the care of her loving husband in their longtime home. Heidi was born on October 11th, 1959, in North Platte, NE. She was the second eldest child and only daughter of Methodist minister, Dwight Kemling, and middle school English teacher, Ruth Kemling (Reeves). They lived in a handful of small towns across Nebraska, but it was in Kimball that Heidi met her lifetime mate, Buddy (Burdett) Heidemann. She...
