New titles lead to bingo at library: Prizes, an ice cream bar, books and BINGO. All of these are included in the program offered at Seward Memorial Library tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. The staff at Seward Memorial Library will review titles which include both newly published books as well as old favorites. Participants can hear recommendations and gather lists of titles for future reading. As books are reviewed listeners cross off titles on BINGO cards while enjoying an ice cream bar. The Friends of Seward Library are providing prizes for winners.
• Seward Public No School — Spring Break
• Seward Girls Varsity Soccer Central Conference Tournament, SHS
• Seward Boys Varsity Soccer Central Conference Tournament, SHS
• Seward Baseball, Varsity at 4:30 p.m.; JV at 6:30 p.m., Crete High School
Genealogical Society to meet: The Seward County Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, April 18, at 10:30 a.m. in its library at the Seward Civic Center. The society’s library is open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. for those wishing to search its resources for genealogical and family history.
Ringers to perform for Easter: The Seward Senior Center will host its Easter meal Tuesday, April 18, at noon. Reservations must be made by noon April 17. At 1 p.m. the St. John Ringers, the premiere handbell ensemble from St. John Lutheran School in Seward, will perform.
Diabetic support group to meet: The Diabetic Support Group will meet Tuesday, April 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the lower level Vahle Conference Room at the Seward Family Medical Center. Stacie Dyer, Seward Family pharmacist, will present an overview of diabetes medication. A light supper will be provided. RSVP to (402) 646-4667.
Death Notices
Willis V. Bloyd – Services scheduled for April 18. (Zabka Funeral Home)
Donald E. Olson – Services scheduled for April 19. (Zabka Funeral Home)
Helen Vanderwall – Services pending with Volzke Funeral Home
(Nebraska News Service) With more than two-thirds of the 90-day legislative session behind them, lawmakers took action on a number of bills last week, advancing some and sidelining others.
Debate continued on a bill that would make most firearms regulations consistent across the state, overriding individual local municipal ordinances. The bill, LB68, is sponsored by Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln.
Debate stalled on a bill that would require legal representation for all youth appearing in juvenile court. Juveniles in counties with more than 150,000 people are already guaranteed access to lawyers, but in some counties, juvenile offenders have no access to counsel. The bill, LB158, is sponsored by Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln.
A bill updating the definition of hybrid seed corn got second-round approval last week. The bill also would allow a restraining order or injunction to be imposed on people who sell or represent corn seed as a hybrid variety that does not meet required identity standards. The bill, LB276, is sponsored by Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston.
The Department of Motor Vehicles could create "Native American Cultural Awareness and History" license plates under an amendment to a transportation bill sponsored by Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln. Proceeds from the $5 license plate fee would go to a Native American scholarship fund. Bolz' amendment was attached to a bill that would enable car dealers to provide electronic titling and registration services. The bill, LB263, was introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.
Online retailers without a physical presence in the state but with more than $100,000 annually in gross sales or 200 transactions in Nebraska would have to collect state sales taxes under a bill lawmakers advanced last week. Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, sponsor of LB44, estimated the state could collect up to $40 million annually from online retailers, a figure opponents dispute. Current state law requires online shoppers to pay state sales tax, but few do so because there's no easy way to make such payments.
First responders injured in the line of duty could retain their health insurance coverage under a bill advanced to final reading. LB444, sponsored by Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, would apply to any law enforcement officer, and includes sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, firefighters and mental health care providers.
An amendment to the bill would extend workers' compensation benefits to state correctional services employees and Department of Health and Human Services workers who regularly come in contact with high-risk individuals. The amendment incorporates provisions of LB244, sponsored by Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln. It was approved by a vote of 26-3.
