Kathy Hopping, 56, of Paxton, died July 22, 2012, in her home surrounded by her family and friends.
Katherine Lynn Hopping was born on Sept. 15, 1955, in Fort Collins, Colo., the daughter of Alvin “Curly” and Leora (Blake) Schieldt.
Kathy graduated from Poudre High School in Fort Collins, Colo., in 1974. While in high school she participated in musicals, band, orchestra, Impalaphonics Show Choir and All-State Chorus. She was also an accomplished oboe player who was awarded a music scholarship to attend the University of Northern Colorado. While there she became a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary music sorority and then received her degree in Music Education in 1978.
She moved to Lewellen to teach in 1979 and then on to Paxton in 1981. Her career as a music teacher spanned 27 years and also included time in Sutherland. The past five years Kathy was a legal assistant for McGinley, O’Donnell, Reynolds and Korth.
On Aug. 1, 1998, Kathy married Jim Hopping. Together they built a home where they loved to spend time.
Life was filled with music and the outdoors. Kathy loved being with family and friends especially at the lake and in the mountains. She played piano for the United Methodist Church in Paxton and accompanied students for competitions and performances. Kathy was also a member of the National Education Association.
Preceding her in death was her father, Alvin Schieldt; and her stepfather, Hal Klaus.
Survivors include her husband, Jim, of Paxton; her children, Kara (Zac) Brashears, and their daughter, Brooke, of Valentine, Gwen Stokey, of Omaha, and Nicholas Stokey, of Lincoln; her mother, Leora (Bill) Klaus-McBride, of Fort Collins, Colo.; two brothers, Wayne (Dawn) Schieldt, of Montrose, Colo., and Marvin (Alison) Schieldt, of Fishtail, Mont.; two stepsons, John McConnell, of Mexico, and Brennen Hopping, of Jacksonville, Wyo.; as well as nieces, nephews; and dear friends.
The family chose cremation. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, at the Ogallala New Hope Worship Center on East “O” St. Kathy’s brother, Pastor Marvin Schieldt will officiate. A luncheon will follow at noon at the United Methodist Church, 310 N. Oak St. in Paxton. Online Condolences may be sent to drauckerfh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, PO Box 335, Paxton, NE 69155.
Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.
Month: July 2012
Angel at Aurora Vigil?
By Kris Allen:
This photo is causing a buzz nation wide. The photo was taken at the recent Aurora Vigil held for the victims of the Colorado cinema massacre during the opening showing of “The Dark Night Rises” .
In this photo you can see a formation of an angel in the clouds above the cinema.
Crop Update: Corn and Soybeans Getting Sicker, Good crops now at 37%
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly report says Nebraska’s corn and soybean crops are ailing and getting sicker.
A report says only 37 percent of the corn crop is rated in good or excellent shape. Last week the figure was 43 percent, which also is well below the average of 79 percent for this time of year. Thirty-three percent of the crop was rated in very poor or poor condition.
The soybean crop rated even lower, with only 28 percent in good or excellent condition, compared with 34 percent a week earlier. Normally, about 77 percent of the soybean crop is rated in good or excellent shape.
The heat and lack of rain have taken a toll on pastureland as well, with 72 percent rated very poor or poor.
Stories Exhibit Now Open until August 25th
North Platte, Neb. (NORTH PLATTE POST) An educational exhibit that covers the various journeys Americans and American 
Immigrants experienced through mobility of trains and transportation.
Photographs and other displays are accompanied with delightfully educational information that sparks interest as you look into the past.
The exhibit is open in partnership with The Smithsonian Institution, at The Lincoln County Historical Museum
CHARCOAL FOR CHARITY TO BENEFIT AG SOCIETY AND CASA
Charcoal for Charity will be held this Saturday, August 25th from 5:30-7:30 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. The Ag Society has selected Lincoln County CASA as this year’s recipient, earning 50% of the proceeds. A brisket and hot dog meal are being offered this year.
In addition, the Ag Society if raffling off a National Finals Rodeo Package to include 2 round trip airfares, hotel & 2 rodeo performance tickets to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. There are limited number of raffle tickets available at $25 a piece.
Tickets for the Charcoal for Charity and Raffle are available at First National Bank or Equitable Bank.
Lincoln County CASA is a non-profit organization providing volunteers as Court Appointed Special Advocates to help abused and neglected children in the Lincoln County area.
Meet and Greet at Connections Shelter is your chance to welcome Roy Lawton to the community!
(North Platte Neb.) The community is invited to a Meet and Greet Open House for New Connection Homeless Shelter Director Roy 
Lawton on Thursday July 26 from 4:30-6:30 at the Shelter located at 414 E. 6th. Finger food will be served and the public will have a chance to welcome Roy to our community.
PRINTING & GRAPHICS save 10% on LITTLE BLUE RIVER PRODUCTS
Pro Printing & Graphics is running a special on Little Blue River products. This week only, make a Little Blue River purchase and receive a 10% discount. This GROW Nebraska vendor has goat milk lotion, handmade soap, and feet treat! Pamper yourself with homemade products by Little Blue River available at Pro Printing & Graphics on the corner of B and Dewey!
At Pro Printing and Graphics, we take pride in our business. Providing quality products and services to our customers is of the highest importance. We have been serving Western Nebraska since 1952 as a full service printing company. From copies to lamination, our experienced staff can take care of all of your printing needs.
In addition to our printing services, we also house a retail store that offers unique novelty items. Our stock features vendors offering an assortment of one-of-a-kind products, such as hillbilly wineglasses and handcrafted jewelry. Visit our location to browse all of our retail selections.
To learn more about our products and services, visit us on the web at www.proprintingandgraphics.com. Also see us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/proprintingandgraphics.
Firefighters Brace for Hot, Dry Weather and Gusty Winds
NEBRASKA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) “Coordination and good communications will be the key to a successful day,” said Incident Commander Mark Hatcher this morning at briefing. On Monday, the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team B arrived to assist state and local firefighters in three counties to suppress the Fairfield Creek fire in north central Nebraska. Approximately 50,000 acres were mapped by infrared flight as of 6 a.m. Active burning has been observed on the east and west flanks.
Crews were able to burn out pockets of fuel on the north east corner to reinforce dozer lines. Firefighters will work on lines in all areas of the fire in anticipation of the dry, hot, windy weather expected today.
The weather outlook for Monday shows hotter weather with dry winds gusting up to 25 miles per hour near the fire area. A heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. on Tuesday and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for winds and low relative humidity.
Four Divisions have been established for managing the fire:
- Division C (northwest): Springville Fire District, Keya Paha County
- Division E (northeast): Springville Fire District, Keya Paha County
- Division H (southeast): Ainsworth Fire District, Brown County
- Division A (southwest) Cherry County Fire District
Air Operations: Aircraft will be available as needed.
Road Closures
- Road blocks will be in place on Highway 12. Motorists are asked to find alternate travel routes.
Evacuations:
- Volunteer evacuations are still in place for Meadville.
- Niobrara River is closed for recreational use between County Line and Brewer bridges.
Fire stats at a glance:
Start Date: July 20, 2012
Containment: none reported
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 50,000
Personnel: 150
Crews: 3 ordered
Cooperating Agencies: Brown, Keya Paha and Cherry
Counties, State of Nebraska
Aviation : (3) Type (1) National Guard Black Hawks, and
1 Type 2
Engines: 30
Injuries: 3 (minor)
Structures destroyed: 10 and associated outbuildings
Structures/outbuildings threatened: 70
New Campaign Rolls Out With Strong Warning For Drunk Drivers
Cindy Todd
Omaha Neb.(AAA) -The Nebraska Office of Highway Safety is literally hitting the road with their latest statewide education and awareness campaign to combat drunk driving. A dozen large delivery service vehicles wrapped with truck-size impactful images, stress the need for citizens to report drunk drivers immediately by dialing 911 or *55 on their cell phone. The trucks are heading out on roadways traveling to nearly every county in Nebraska. 
With increased awareness about reporting drunk drivers, the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety expects that those who continue to drink and drive will be more conscientious about making the right choice not to get behind the wheel. Last year 1,822 alcohol related crashes occurred on Nebraskaroadways resulting in 1,185 injuries and 51 deaths.
Nebraskalaw enforcement officers arrested more than 12,000 motorists in 2011 on drunk driving charges. Tougher driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws and enforcement efforts, an expansion of education and awareness campaigns, and higher conviction rates for DWI offenses, have all contributed to a reduction in alcohol related fatal crashes.
For the past two years, Nebraskahas recorded the lowest alcohol related death rates on record. AAA says that even with the positive advancements Nebraskahas made towards getting drunk drivers off the road, education and awareness efforts must remain a priority. Nebraskaneeds to do so since more than one-third of all fatal crashes are alcohol related, says AAA. By taking this strong message on the road, more citizens will become actively engaged in doing their part to help keep our roadways safe.
Cold front puts a hold on high temps
Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 104. South wind 7 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. South southeast wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. North wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.