In the News...

New Look for Nebraska.gov

By Governor Dave Heineman

June 16, 2008

 

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

I want to extend an invitation for readers to visit the official Web site for our state, which recently underwent a complete redesign. The new look for Nebraska.gov was designed to make the Web site easier to navigate, more convenient and more accessible for those looking for information about state government.

Available at http://www.Nebraska.gov, the new portal pairs an easy-to-remember name with a layout that helps visitors locate information and services without having to know how government works or is structured.

In the digital world, our online presence matters both here at home and around the world. Nebraska.gov is our front porch to the rest of the world, and the increased use of our state Web site is evidence that our online image is an important marketing tool for the state.

Traffic and use of the state portal to conduct business has continued to increase. Last year, the Nebraska.gov securely processed nearly 8.5 million online service transactions and attracted more than 48 million hits, up from 6 million transactions and 40 million hits in 2005.

Nebraska.gov features a streamlined design that serves as the centerpiece of the state’s e-Government initiative. The site provides connects visitors with more than 300 online services within two clicks, and offers intuitive features designed to help users access information they may need as Nebraska residents, those moving to our state, visitors from out of state, and those starting a business in Nebraska.

The Web site also offers brighter and larger images, including a series of photographs promoting Nebraska attractions and destinations, which is linked to information on our tourism and travel Web site.

Those visiting the site from a PDA or smartphone can access a streamlined version of Nebraska.gov, designed specifically for viewing from a mobile device. The new design also offers improved functionality for the visually impaired, and the option of translating the page into 12 different languages. 

While the Nebraska.gov site was designed to help visitors access to the most used services, it also provides an expanded area to highlight new services. The previous site featured up to three services.

The new version puts featured services in a scrolling bar allowing any number of new and most-used services to be highlighted. The site currently highlights 12 services available in one click, such as storm recovery information, a link to pay speeding tickets and order specialty license plates online, and downloading the latest Nebraska Travel Guide.

I’d like to thank those who have already offered feedback, as well as those involved with the redesign and the staff of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Their work is helping integrate new technology into the work of state government.

With each new revision of the site, the goal is to make it one step easier for visitors to navigate our state Web site. In an effort to make state government more accessible, we are always looking for ways to provide the services Nebraskans would like to see. Visitors are invited to offer feedback by taking an online user survey or using the new Idea Box feature for suggestions on new services and upgrades to the Nebraska.gov Web site.

The new look for Nebraska.gov is one part of our effort to provide services that are more convenient for our citizens. It is projects such as this that ensure Nebraska remains at the forefront of digital government.

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Your Family Favorite Beef Recipe Could Be Worth New Kitchen Appliances

 

Kearney, NE (June 17, 2008) What’s fast, flavorful and worth a set of new kitchen appliances?  Your favorite family beef recipe – if it wins the River City Roundup “What’s for Dinner Beef Cook-Off!”  If your family loves this recipe, maybe the judges will too!

 

The “What’s for Dinner Beef Cook-Off” will be held in conjunction with River City Roundup in Omaha at the Qwest Center on Saturday, September 27, 2008.  Amateur cooks from Nebraska will compete on the “What’s for Dinner” cooking stage sponsored by the Nebraska Beef Council

 

A stove, dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave will be awarded to the contest winner.   Beef certificates of $300, $200, $100 and $50 will be awarded to the second through fifth place finalists as well.

 

The basic recipe guidelines are as follows:

 

1. All recipes must use beef, that is, either fresh, frozen or pre-cooked.
2. No more than 8 ingredients may be used not including salt, pepper, cooking spray and water.
3. The recipe preparation and cooking time must be done in 45 minutes or less.

 

Complete contest rules are available at www.nebeef.org or by calling the Nebraska Beef Council at 800-421-5326. 

 

Only original and unpublished recipes are eligible for the contest.  Entries will be judged by food professionals on taste, ease of preparation and appearance.  To be eligible for the “What’s For Dinner Beef Cook-Off” contest entrants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the state ofNebraska.  Food professionals, including chefs, food writers, home economists, dietitians and food educators and employees/family members of the Nebraska Beef Council are not eligible to compete. Only one recipe per contestant may be submitted.

 

Recipe entries should be mailed to:  What’s for Dinner Beef Cook-Off, Nebraska Beef Council, PO Box 2108, Kearney, NE  68848.  Recipes may also be submitted via e-mail to kroeder@nebeef.org.  All entries must be received by the end of business on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

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Lutters Wins URSS Loot at Dawson County Raceway June 15

By Darin Racek

A big crowd was on hand to watch an overfilled pit of racecars do battle on Father’s Day at Dawson County Raceway in Lexington. The United Rebel Sprint Series helped fill the pits with fifteen-305 Sprint Cars from Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. At the end of the night, Ken Lutters of Ransom, Kan., Jay Steffens of North Platte, Kyle Werkmeister of Maywood, and Jim Buss of Blue Hill overfilled their bounties by taking the A Feature wins for the night.

The URSS 305 Sprint cars were slowed only three times for cautions during their 20 lap A Feature. Hill City, Kansas driver Jeff Radcliffe enjoyed the benefits of starting up front and took off with the early lead. Smokey Fairbank of Ransom, Kansas made a very quick charge from his third row starting spot to take the lead by lap three. His fellow hometown driver and third row starter Ken Lutters worked his way a little slower to the front, but caught Fairbank by lap seven, and made a power pass to take the lead on lap nine. The third caution occurred shortly after, setting up an eleven lap run to the finish.

Ken Lutters had found his line and stayed with it, opening up nearly a straightaway lead over his competitors en route to his second career URSS A Feature victory. John Johnson of Utica, Kansas made two late passes in the last two laps to sneak away with a second place finish, and make the biggest move through the field, advancing seven spots from the start to finish. Despite his car smoking, Smokey Fairbank finished in third, ahead of Jeff Radcliffe. Bill Hays of Elwood ended his run in front of his local fans by finishing in the top five.

The Sprints laid a lot of rubber on the track, and that made for a smooth, but slick track for the other classes. Passing appeared difficult on the bottom, but Jay Steffens made it work for him in the IMCA Modified A Feature. Aided by a couple of cautions, Steffens would set off and pick off drivers in front of him on the two restarts, until he finally motored by Jamey Kennicutt of Gothenburg on lap four. Chad Dolan of Gibbon followed suit, but by the time he was able to get to second spot, Steffens had already checked out. Steve Aitken of Cozad finished in third place, followed by Charley Brown of Maxwell and Mitch Kline of Norton, Kansas. David Jewett, Jr. of Lexington won the IMCA Modified B Feature.

Kyle Werkmeister has had a horrible year in the IMCA Stock Car class, including nearly destroying a race car. Although not feeling like he shook the 800-pound gorilla on his back, he felt like 400 pounds was gone after he won his first ever IMCA Stock Car A Feature. He got out in front early and ran the high line, followed by Jeff Whiting of Gothenburg, who has had troubles of his own. With two laps to go, Whiting had a run on Werkmeister coming out of corner two, but got too high after Werkmeister came back up the track, losing some ground. Kyle nearly made the same mistake for Jason Smidt of Minden on the last lap, but was able to shut the door for the win. Casey Werkmeister of Maywood made it a good night for the family as he finished in third. Whiting was happy to finish the race, and to have a top four. Colton Osborn of Cozad rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Hobby Stock A Feature was only slowed by two caution periods and gave the crowd another exciting finish. After Kyle Bond of Gibbon took the lead from Ethan Johnson of Broken Bow, he tried to run away and hide from the field. He ran, but couldn’t hide from Jim Buss. Buss caught him with two laps to go. Coming to take the white flag, the two cars were almost side-by-side. Bond appeared to have the advantage in corner one, but when they came out of corner two, Buss had him cleared and stayed out front to get his second win of the weekend, with the first one coming Friday night in McCook. Jeromy Wagner of Kensington, Kansas got by Ethan Johnson for third place. Aaron Koch of Cambridge finished in fifth place. Grand Island driver Tim Miller won the Hobby Stock B Feature.

Dawson County Raceway will take a week off, but will be back in action on Sunday night, June 29. The gates will open at 5 PM for the fans, and the racing for the IMCA-sanctioned classes Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks will start at 7 PM.

 

June 15 results
IMCA Modified
Heat 1
87D-Chad Dolan
12J-Jay Steffens
3-John Huffman

 

Heat 2
7R-Vince Leibert
19-Chuck Stryker
4C-Charley Brown

 

Heat 3
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
7A-Steve Aitken
08-Mitch Kline

 

B Feature
4JR-David Jewett, Jr.
2X-Bo Egge
20K-Kyle Clough
4JRX-D. J. Pedersen
29E-Brooke Eilts
95-Meddie Cote
2BA-Bob Aspenleiter
9-Brian Cash (DNF)
17B-Brad Williams (DNF)
03-Josh Lester (DNS)
29S-Mike Saathoff (DNS)

 

A Feature
12J-Jay Steffens
87D-Chad Dolan
7A-Steve Aitken
4C-Charley Brown
08-Mitch Kline
19-Chuck Stryker
4JR-David Jewett, Jr.
7R-Vince Leibert
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
3-John Huffman
23S-Josh Sabin
20K-Kyle Clough
4JRX-D. J. Pedersen
25-Toph Harmon (DNF)
31-Gary Kline (DNF)
2X-Bo Egge (DNF)

 

IMCA Stock Car
Heat 1
72H-Jim Hagan
24W-Casey Werkmeister
42W-Kyle Werkmeister

 

Heat 2
18-Jason Smidt
47-Russ Small
57-Dan Stoll

 

Heat 3
16-Jeff Whiting
74KO-Jason Koch
12J-Kerry Jones

 

A Feature
42W-Kyle Werkmeister
18-Jason Smidt
24W-Casey Werkmeister
16-Jeff Whiting
50-Colton Osborn
72H-Jim Hagan
5S-Shane Stout
47-Russ Small
24-Dan Walker
29E-Brendan Eilts
12J-Kerry Jones
09H-Bob Hoing
45-Mikey Dancer (DNF)
33OZ-Ozzie Romero (DNF)
57-Dan Stoll (DNS)
74KO-Jason Koch (DNF)
00-Sara Powers (DNS)

 

IMCA Hobby Stock
Heat 1
4M-Frank Mladek
70KO-Aaron Koch
12-Jim Buss

 

Heat 2
80-Jim Rayburn
13-Ethan Johnson
0-Kyle Bond

 

Heat 3
27H-Seth Hagan
1Xjr-Cody Blessing
29-Jeromy Wagner

 

B Feature
27-Tim Miller
00H-Greg Hoing
09-Brandon Kautz
72H-Kevin Hagan
65-Dan Pittman
48-Michael Allbright
5-Chuck Ledbetter, Jr.
3Z-Zach Canas
28-Branden Stange (DNF)
23EN-Brandon Nelson (DNF)
040-Gary Kneher (DNF)
20-Hunter Cantrall (DNF)

 

A Feature
12-Jim Buss
0-Kyle Bond
29-Jeromy Wagner
13-Ethan Johnson
70KO-Aaron Koch
4M-Frank Mladek
H2O-Cory Allen
80-Jim Rayburn
27-Tim Miller
72H-Kevin Hagan
09-Brandon Kautz
00H-Greg Hoing
8C-Corey Cruzan (DNF)
27H-Seth Hagan (DNF)
53-Tyler Easterday (DNF)
1Xjr-Cody Blessing (DNF)

 

URSS Sprint Cars
Heat 1
12 Darren Berry
79 Ken Lutters
2H Bill Hays

 

Heat 2
86-Jon Johnson
0T-Randy Washburn
99-Tim Perkins

 

Heat 3
2 Smokey Fairbank
21R Jeff Radcliffe
28-Tom Belsky

 

A Feature
79 Ken Lutters
86-Jon Johnson
2 Smokey Fairbank
21R Jeff Radcliffe
2H Bill Hays
28-Tom Belsky
0T-Randy Washburn
36W Willie Wynn
12 Darren Berry
99-Tim Perkins
C3 Reed Bernbeck
3R-Shawn Radcliffe
29 Corey Koberstein
777 Tom Vacura (DNF)
5R Randy Bantam (DNF)

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RAINY WEATHER MAY CAUSE CERTAIN LAWN PROBLEMS
Dave’s Digest
Dave Stenberg
“For age and want, save while you may, no morning sun lasts a whole day.” Benjamin Franklin.

 

Due to rainy weather delaying mowing schedules, some homeowners are seeing yellowing symptoms on tall lawns after mowing. Roch Gaussoin, Extension Turf Specialist, recommends raising the mowing height and going ahead with mowing between rainy periods. This is one of the few times where it would be recommended to pick up grass clippings. Some yellowing may be due to scalping (removing more than one-third of the grass blade during any one mowing); hence the raised mowing height recommendation. Some yellowing may be due to poor root function in saturated soils or the leaching of nitrogen below the grass root zone. If you apply additional fertilizer, do so at moderate levels as even stimulating bluegrass just before the hot part of the summer is not recommended.
Saturated soils can interfere with the efficacy of systemic lawn pesticides. Pesticides (insecticides, herbicides and fungicides) that require plant growth and metabolism for movement of the product throughout the plant will be affected. In the case of herbicide applications on weeds, some foliar burning may be seen after the herbicide application, but a lot of recovery will occur on weeds due to poor uptake of the herbicide. We may also see strange symptoms on turfgrass this year due to poor root development in saturated soils early in the season.
Conditions have been favorable for Pythium development in turf which usually occurs later in the season. The rule of thumb is if night temperature and humidity level numbers combine to reach 150, then pythium is favored. Night temps are still cool, but humidity levels have been very high, combined to push into the 150 range. Although conditions have been favorable, Roch Gaussoin does not recommend treating at this time. It is recommended that you monitor areas with a history of pythium blight. As conditions dry out, Pythium will become less of a threat. Pythium blight, brown patch and dollar spot can look similar. Pythium blight can kill turf grass and controls are recommended on susceptible turf grass. Brown patch and dollar spot usually do not kill turf, therefore it is not always necessary to apply fungicides to control these two diseases.

 

Flood waters commonly contain high levels of bacteria. Whenever flood waters or surface runoff inundates a well, bacterial contamination is likely. Any private well inundated with flood waters or runoff should be tested for bacterial contamination. If bacteria is suspected, or if laboratory tests confirm the presence of bacteria in a private water supply, users should use an alternative water supply or disinfect water for drinking and food preparation until further testing is negative for the presence of the bacterial contamination.
For short-term disinfection of water for drinking and food preparation, it is highly recommended to boil the water. Heat kills microorganisms and is the oldest effective means of disinfecting drinking water. Water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil for one minute, which includes an adequate safety factor. Any longer will concentrate other chemical contaminants that may be present, such as nitrate. Generally, untreated water can be used for showering and bathing as long as the water is not swallowed.
The entire distribution system can be disinfected using shock chlorination. Shock chlorination involves placing a strong chlorine solution in the well and the complete distribution system. After shock chlorination, another water sample should be submitted for testing. The water should test negative before use. More than one shock chlorination treatment may be needed to effectively treat the entire water supply.
Public water suppliers will notify users if bacterial contamination is detected and instructions will be given to users of the public water supply. If bacteria is confirmed in a public water supply, users will most often be instructed to boil the water until notified otherwise. The public supplier will take necessary measures to disinfect the entire distribution system.
Water testing kits are available at the Extension Office.

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Kids Count Report Shows Nebraska is 9^th Best in Nation

Note:  Sound bites from Christine Peterson, CEO of the Department of Health and Human Services, are available at: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/ 

Lincoln –Nebraska ranks 9^th overall in the nation in a state-by-state study of the well-being of children, according to the national 2008 Kids Count Data Book released today. 

“Nebraska is ranked ninth in the nation and is doing a good job of caring for children and families, and we are extremely proud of being in the top 10 in the nation in five of the key indicators,” said Christine Peterson, CEO of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).  “We’ve moved up in the ranking of child well-being and improved in four specific areas.” 

Nebraska ranks in the top 10 in the nation for these five key indicators: 
 #3 for the rate of securely employed parents; 
 #4 for the lowest percentage of children in single-parent families; 
 #9 for the rate of infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) 
 #9 for the percentage of idle teens (not attending school, not working, ages 16-19); and 
 #10 for the high school dropout rate. (ages 16-19) 

Nebraska has shown a consistently positive performance over the years, and has been ranked as one of the top 13 states overall since 1999 on these same indicators.  Nebraska rankings on the other five indicators in the report range from 13^th to 27^th in the nation.   

“It’s good to see this validation of work around the safety, well-being and permanency of children.  This progress has been made possible through our collaboration with judges, providers and law enforcement,” Peterson said.  “I especially want to thank our DHHS staff for their dedication to the well-being of children and families.” 

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51ST CATTLEMEN’S STEAK FEED - JUNE 25
Dave Stenberg

Members and guests of the Dawson County Cattlemen will be enjoying their 51st Annual Summer Steak Feed at the Wild Horse Golf Club, one mile north of Gothenburg on Highway 47 and 1.5 miles west on Road 768, on Wednesday, June 25.
According to Steak Feed Chairmen Chris Tordrup and Dr. Randy Burge, the Cattlemen summer event will begin with a sponsored golf meet at 1 p.m. Contact Tordrup (308) 640-4237 or Chris Hagedorn (308) 325-1763 no later than noon Friday, June 20, in order to reserve green space for the sponsored golf event. At 6 p.m., the First State Bank and Gothenburg State Bank & Trust will sponsor a Social Hour. Steaks and all the trimmings will be served at 7 p.m. for members and guests. Reservations will be $20 each and should be sent to: Dawson County Cattlemen Treasurer, Anne Burkholder, Box 88, Cozad, NE 69130 by June 23.
Directors of the association are Chris Hagedorn, president, Cozad; Chris Tordrup, vice president, Farnam; Anne Burkholder, treasurer, Cozad; Kent Brown, Cozad; Dr. Randy Burge, Gothenburg; Casey Naprstek and Dan Keller of Lexington; Dr. John Lawton of Overton; John Schroeder of Cozad; and Dave Stenberg, secretary, Lexington.
Guests and business representatives are urged to attend.

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Red Cross Relief Efforts Need YOUR Help

Stormy weather brings new challenges to disaster recovery

 

KEARNEY, NE (June 10, 2008) – When severe weather and flooding struck central Nebraska on May 23, the Red Cross responded with needed supplies, assistance and volunteers from across the state and country. Continued rainfall and storms has made it difficult for disaster victims to recover, and flood waters still threaten many communities. The Red Cross is working in the affected areas to help meet additional needs of individuals and families.

“The Red Cross is working to make sure that all of the emergency needs are being met,” said Relena Lyddon Myers, executive director of the Ft. Kearney Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We’ve been very active in Kearney since the tornado struck.”

Since the beginning of the relief operation, over 5,000 meals and 13,500 snacks have been served throughout disaster-stricken areas of Nebraska and southwest Iowa by the Red Cross with the help of many volunteers from other groups and agencies. Additional assistance has been provided to over 300 individuals.

The Red Cross asks those who want to help the victims of this disaster to make financial contributions. “When someone makes a gift to the Red Cross, we use that gift to get our assistance directly to the affected families,” said Myers. To make a financial contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, please call                               1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcross.org. The Red Cross does not accept in-kind donations of clothing, food, or other items at any of their chapters or service delivery sites.

Affected families who have not met with a Red Cross caseworker and still need assistance, or who have questions about their ongoing recovery are encouraged to contact the Ft. Kearney Chapter at 308-324-2770.

Red Cross assistance is based on an individual family’s emergency needs and may vary from one household to another. The Red Cross will work with disaster victims to help determine your needs and plan your recovery based on your specific damage and needs, your personal resources, and other community resources. Red Cross disaster  

volunteers are available to help victims of the tornado get assistance and information, as well as links to national and community-based resources.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes and flooding in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-27677) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

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RAVEN-SYMONE CONCERT MOVED TO FIRSTIER EVENT CENTER

KEARNEY – Raven-Symone fans still will get to attend her concert this summer in Kearney. It just will be in a different location.

The Raven-Symone concert was planned to be hosted Aug. 4 in the Buffalo County Exposition Center at the fairgrounds. Instead, it will be held at the FirsTier Event Center.

The May 29 tornadoes that hit Kearney ravaged the Exposition Center at the fairgrounds, causing more than $2 million damage to the facility and making it unavailable for the concert or other planned events.

Dave Roseberry, Buffalo County Fair manager, said an agreement between the FirstTier Event Center and the Buffalo County Fair was reached Tuesday to host the concert at the Event Center.

“It just makes sense to help each other out,” said Geof Cook, general manager of the FirsTier Event Center. “We were already planning to partner with the Buffalo County Fair for entertainment for that week.”

3 Doors Down, Staind, Seether and Finger 11 were scheduled to be in concert at the Event Center Aug. 1 as a part of the Buffalo County Fair Concert Series, Cook said. 

“The storm damage was an unfortunate event, “ Cook said. “But our job is to bring the best entertainment and best options available to the public. “

A plan is being devised by the Buffalo County Fair and the FirsTier Event Center to accommodate tickets already sold for the Raven-Symone concert.

“We’ll do our best to make sure your tickets will be at the same seating plan as you’ve purchased,“ Roseberry said.

New tickets for the Raven-Symone concert will be printed and made available to those who have already purchased tickets and for additional concert-goers. Officials will announce that ticket plan next week after a special Buffalo County Ag Association meeting June 17.

“We’ll work hard to make the ticket exchange and transfer as easy as we can for the public,” Roseberry said. Over 1,000 tickets have already been sold for the Raven-Symone concert.

The status of other events scheduled for the Exposition Center at the Buffalo County Fair is still unknown.

“We have a lot of ideas and options,” Roseberry said. Other events scheduled for the Exposition Center included the PRCA Rodeo, originally set for Aug. 1-2 and the Demolition Derby scheduled for Aug.3.

“If we can’t hold those events like we’d planned, we’ll make sure that we have other entertainment for our fair,” Roseberry said.

Roseberry said those events and changes will be confirmed after next Tuesday’s meeting.

“Ticket sales have been incredible,” Roseberry said. “We will have this concert. The public wants this concert.”

The Raven-Symone concert will be at 7 pm Monday, Aug. 4 at the FirstTier Event Center.

“That’s So Raven," is one of Disney Channel's highest-rated shows. Raven-Symone co-starred with Martin Lawrence in “College Road Trip” and she recently released her new album.

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MONA Guild announces Sounds of Summer Concert Series schedule

 

Lutters Wins URSS Loot at Dawson County Raceway June 15

By Darin Racek

A big crowd was on hand to watch an overfilled pit of racecars do battle on Father’s Day at Dawson County Raceway in Lexington. The United Rebel Sprint Series helped fill the pits with fifteen-305 Sprint Cars from Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado. At the end of the night, Ken Lutters of Ransom, Kan., Jay Steffens of North Platte, Kyle Werkmeister of Maywood, and Jim Buss of Blue Hill overfilled their bounties by taking the A Feature wins for the night.

The URSS 305 Sprint cars were slowed only three times for cautions during their 20 lap A Feature. Hill City, Kansas driver Jeff Radcliffe enjoyed the benefits of starting up front and took off with the early lead. Smokey Fairbank of Ransom, Kansas made a very quick charge from his third row starting spot to take the lead by lap three. His fellow hometown driver and third row starter Ken Lutters worked his way a little slower to the front, but caught Fairbank by lap seven, and made a power pass to take the lead on lap nine. The third caution occurred shortly after, setting up an eleven lap run to the finish.

Ken Lutters had found his line and stayed with it, opening up nearly a straightaway lead over his competitors en route to his second career URSS A Feature victory. John Johnson of Utica, Kansas made two late passes in the last two laps to sneak away with a second place finish, and make the biggest move through the field, advancing seven spots from the start to finish. Despite his car smoking, Smokey Fairbank finished in third, ahead of Jeff Radcliffe. Bill Hays of Elwood ended his run in front of his local fans by finishing in the top five.

The Sprints laid a lot of rubber on the track, and that made for a smooth, but slick track for the other classes. Passing appeared difficult on the bottom, but Jay Steffens made it work for him in the IMCA Modified A Feature. Aided by a couple of cautions, Steffens would set off and pick off drivers in front of him on the two restarts, until he finally motored by Jamey Kennicutt of Gothenburg on lap four. Chad Dolan of Gibbon followed suit, but by the time he was able to get to second spot, Steffens had already checked out. Steve Aitken of Cozad finished in third place, followed by Charley Brown of Maxwell and Mitch Kline of Norton, Kansas. David Jewett, Jr. of Lexington won the IMCA Modified B Feature.

Kyle Werkmeister has had a horrible year in the IMCA Stock Car class, including nearly destroying a race car. Although not feeling like he shook the 800-pound gorilla on his back, he felt like 400 pounds was gone after he won his first ever IMCA Stock Car A Feature. He got out in front early and ran the high line, followed by Jeff Whiting of Gothenburg, who has had troubles of his own. With two laps to go, Whiting had a run on Werkmeister coming out of corner two, but got too high after Werkmeister came back up the track, losing some ground. Kyle nearly made the same mistake for Jason Smidt of Minden on the last lap, but was able to shut the door for the win. Casey Werkmeister of Maywood made it a good night for the family as he finished in third. Whiting was happy to finish the race, and to have a top four. Colton Osborn of Cozad rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Hobby Stock A Feature was only slowed by two caution periods and gave the crowd another exciting finish. After Kyle Bond of Gibbon took the lead from Ethan Johnson of Broken Bow, he tried to run away and hide from the field. He ran, but couldn’t hide from Jim Buss. Buss caught him with two laps to go. Coming to take the white flag, the two cars were almost side-by-side. Bond appeared to have the advantage in corner one, but when they came out of corner two, Buss had him cleared and stayed out front to get his second win of the weekend, with the first one coming Friday night in McCook. Jeromy Wagner of Kensington, Kansas got by Ethan Johnson for third place. Aaron Koch of Cambridge finished in fifth place. Grand Island driver Tim Miller won the Hobby Stock B Feature.

Dawson County Raceway will take a week off, but will be back in action on Sunday night, June 29. The gates will open at 5 PM for the fans, and the racing for the IMCA-sanctioned classes Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks will start at 7 PM.

 

June 15 results
IMCA Modified
Heat 1
87D-Chad Dolan
12J-Jay Steffens
3-John Huffman

 

Heat 2
7R-Vince Leibert
19-Chuck Stryker
4C-Charley Brown

 

Heat 3
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
7A-Steve Aitken
08-Mitch Kline

 

B Feature
4JR-David Jewett, Jr.
2X-Bo Egge
20K-Kyle Clough
4JRX-D. J. Pedersen
29E-Brooke Eilts
95-Meddie Cote
2BA-Bob Aspenleiter
9-Brian Cash (DNF)
17B-Brad Williams (DNF)
03-Josh Lester (DNS)
29S-Mike Saathoff (DNS)

 

A Feature
12J-Jay Steffens
87D-Chad Dolan
7A-Steve Aitken
4C-Charley Brown
08-Mitch Kline
19-Chuck Stryker
4JR-David Jewett, Jr.
7R-Vince Leibert
15K-Jamey Kennicutt
3-John Huffman
23S-Josh Sabin
20K-Kyle Clough
4JRX-D. J. Pedersen
25-Toph Harmon (DNF)
31-Gary Kline (DNF)
2X-Bo Egge (DNF)

 

IMCA Stock Car
Heat 1
72H-Jim Hagan
24W-Casey Werkmeister
42W-Kyle Werkmeister

 

Heat 2
18-Jason Smidt
47-Russ Small
57-Dan Stoll

 

Heat 3
16-Jeff Whiting
74KO-Jason Koch
12J-Kerry Jones

 

A Feature
42W-Kyle Werkmeister
18-Jason Smidt
24W-Casey Werkmeister
16-Jeff Whiting
50-Colton Osborn
72H-Jim Hagan
5S-Shane Stout
47-Russ Small
24-Dan Walker
29E-Brendan Eilts
12J-Kerry Jones
09H-Bob Hoing
45-Mikey Dancer (DNF)
33OZ-Ozzie Romero (DNF)
57-Dan Stoll (DNS)
74KO-Jason Koch (DNF)
00-Sara Powers (DNS)

 

IMCA Hobby Stock
Heat 1
4M-Frank Mladek
70KO-Aaron Koch
12-Jim Buss

 

Heat 2
80-Jim Rayburn
13-Ethan Johnson
0-Kyle Bond

 

Heat 3
27H-Seth Hagan
1Xjr-Cody Blessing
29-Jeromy Wagner

 

B Feature
27-Tim Miller
00H-Greg Hoing
09-Brandon Kautz
72H-Kevin Hagan
65-Dan Pittman
48-Michael Allbright
5-Chuck Ledbetter, Jr.
3Z-Zach Canas
28-Branden Stange (DNF)
23EN-Brandon Nelson (DNF)
040-Gary Kneher (DNF)
20-Hunter Cantrall (DNF)

 

A Feature
12-Jim Buss
0-Kyle Bond
29-Jeromy Wagner
13-Ethan Johnson
70KO-Aaron Koch
4M-Frank Mladek
H2O-Cory Allen
80-Jim Rayburn
27-Tim Miller
72H-Kevin Hagan
09-Brandon Kautz
00H-Greg Hoing
8C-Corey Cruzan (DNF)
27H-Seth Hagan (DNF)
53-Tyler Easterday (DNF)
1Xjr-Cody Blessing (DNF)

 

URSS Sprint Cars
Heat 1
12 Darren Berry
79 Ken Lutters
2H Bill Hays

 

Heat 2
86-Jon Johnson
0T-Randy Washburn
99-Tim Perkins

 

Heat 3
2 Smokey Fairbank
21R Jeff Radcliffe
28-Tom Belsky

 

A Feature
79 Ken Lutters
86-Jon Johnson
2 Smokey Fairbank
21R Jeff Radcliffe
2H Bill Hays
28-Tom Belsky
0T-Randy Washburn
36W Willie Wynn
12 Darren Berry
99-Tim Perkins
C3 Reed Bernbeck
3R-Shawn Radcliffe
29 Corey Koberstein
777 Tom Vacura (DNF)
5R Randy Bantam (DNF)

LOOMIS ALUMNI BANQUET
The Loomis Alumni Banquet will be held on June 21st along with
Loomis Fun Days weekend.