Murdock Nebraska News - May 21, 2025
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Special Meeting Minutes
Village of Murdock
May 14, 2025
A special meeting was called to order at 7:00pm, at the Village Hall to discuss two items that were tabled from the May 6 regular meeting due to information that was needed to be obtained for further discussion and decisions.
Roll call as follows: Dave Nuss, Lee Towle, Jake Wilson, Michelle Chesnut, Rosetta Stroy, and Clerk were all present.
The first item to be discussed was the mowing/weedeating bid submitted by Owen Kunz for mowing the 6 Village locations at a rate of 125.00 per per mow. A Commercial Insurance Policy also is connected to this bid. Rosetta Stroy motioned to accept the bid for mowing every other week and adjust to weekly if needed depending on growth due to rain. Motion was second by Michelle Chesnut and all members voted in favor of the bid.
The Second item that was discussed was the Second Street Project that is waiting to be awarded after the bids were opened on April 10, 2025. The timeline for accepting the bids is June 9th, 2025. JEO gave a letter of recommendation of bid to Paver’s Inc of 109,395.00 who would be already mobilized in the area doing work at that time. Additional estimated administrative costs (8500.00) and RPR fees (4500.00) for JEO would bring the total project to 122,395. The other funds for patchwork street repair is to be done by James Burton total 41,250.00. The two projects total $163,645.00 that will need to be funded. Board members held much deliberation concerning the funding options that include fund transfers of additional funds of the General and Sewer accounts into the Street fund and bank loan options. Stroy did not feel confident that funds were available to draw down individual funds to pay for both projects and wondered if other options of repair for second street could be considered for less fees. All other members were concerned by not acting on the bid for second street would mean higher rates on future bids if as this has been a two-year ongoing project as major curb and gutter for drainage needed done correctly by repairing the entire street and not to be fixed by patch work. After all pros and cons were discussed Michelle Chesnut motioned to go forward with the project award the bid to Paver’s Inc. This motion was second by Jake Wilson. Lee Towle, Jake Wilson, and Michelle Chesnut voted in favor of the motion. Rosetta Stroy was against the decision with a no vote. Chairman Dave Nuss did not vote.
A second motion was made by Chesnut to table how to pay for the projects until additional information is obtained concerning loan information and repayment options once a decision is made for the exact amount needed after fund transfer allotments have been decided. Lee Towle second this motion with Towle, Chesnut, Wilson voting in favor of and Stroy against the motion. Nuss did not vote.
There being no further business, motion to adjourn meeting was made by Wilson, Second by Chesnut. All voted in favor of.
MINUTES
VILLAGE OF MURDOCK
MAY 6, 2025
The Village of Murdock Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall. Roll call as follows; Jake Wilson, Dave Nuss, Lee Towle, Michelle Chesnutt, Rosetta Stroy, and clerk were all present.
The minutes from the previous April meeting were read. Motion made by Chesnut and seconded by Stroy to approve the minutes and the motion carried unanimously by RCV.
The following checks were approved for payment: Windstream ph/int-488.08; OPPD elect.-992.61; Black Hills Energy gas serv.-94.88; Ashland Disposal Service garb.-2864.97; Cass Co. RWD#2 818,000gals-4499.00; Column Software PBC publish-185.15; One Call Concepts dig.hot.-13.47; NE Rural Water Association dues-200.00; Gordon Electric siren power-1211.19; JEO Consulting 2nd St.-1725.00; Old Republic Surety Group treas bnd.-100.00; McHugh Ins work.comp-877.00; McHugh Ins. Build.-12,947.00; Utility Service Co. Inc wat twr.-35,572.00; Jacob Lauby split/lid lagoon-1259.44; J. Barnes payroll-1086.22; J. Faubion reg/postage-182.70; Rosetta Stroy table reimburse-227.75; Frontier Co-op diesel-28.28; St of NE Dept Revenue sales tx (electronic payment)-108.68.
The following discussions/updates were held concerning the old business; The compliance procedures at the lagoons has been completed. The holes have been filled and trees cut. An update letter will be sent to the State.
The Rural Fire Board is still working on a preliminary Agreement for the Fire Services.
The 4th St. alley culvert between Colorado and Nebraska Streets is still needing cleaned out as James Burton has had equipment maintenance needing done putting him behind schedule before beginning on the Streets in Murdock. Stroy and Nuss have contacted him and prep work should begin around the 15-16th of May. At this time, Burton will be contacted to see if he is able to clean the culvert to restore water flow. If he is unable to do this, a different company will be contacted for the culvert work.
The Houston’s attended the meeting along with residents that have properties along the same alley to hear the Board’s decision that was tabled on rocking the alley. All were given a chance to express their feelings about this decision. After much discussion, Stroy made a motion to have a vote for applying rock in the alley. No Board members second this motion and it was not voted on. Sam Houston asked the Board if he could pay to have the alley rocked and the Board denied this request as residents on each side of Houston’s property that attended the meeting were not in favor of having the alley rocked.
An update was given by Stroy concerning the signs still needing to be replaced. Some have been installed but several are still needing fixed. Board members will work out a time to get these finished.
A resident attended the meeting to discuss Liberty Circle grass area as it had not been mowed and is full of weeds since the sewer work was completed a while ago. Charlie Wilson will not be mowing for this season and Chesnut motioned to get a quote from Owen Kunz to begin mowing as soon as possible if approved. Stroy second this motion. Once the bid has been submitted, a quick meeting will be called to discuss the quote and approve or deny it.
The Award Letter of recommendation was read from JEO concerning the bids received for the Second Street project. Pavers had the lower base bid of 109,395.00 of the four bids that were submitted. The other 3 submitted were close to each other approximately in the 140,000 range. Pavers will already be in the area for work being contacted on the Spur, Hwy 1, and 310th St. thus making a lower bid. Before approving a contractor bid, the Board will look into the funding options of this project and call a special meeting to proceed as soon as possible.
There, being no further business, motion was made by Wilson and second by Towle that the meeting close and the next regular meeting will reconvene on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Murdock Village Hall and it carried unanimously by RCV.
Jacqueline A. Barnes - Clerk/Treasurer
Dave Nuss - Chairman
Elmwood- Murdock Garage Sale Days
It's that time again. Elmwood and Murdock Garage Sale registration time.
Forms can be printed from here or picked up at Bits and Pieces and More Thrift Store.
Or you can fill out the google form.
https://docs.google.com/.../1XMuDOgQoUdx0kK52g9E8Jzm.../edit
Register by completing this form and paying $5.(money goes for advertising/signage and creating /printing the maps). Please be kind and sign up to be on the map.
You can make checks payable to Cyndi Dwyer or Venmo me at @Cyndi-Dwyer
These forms can be left at Bits & Pieces or 512 West E Street, Elmwood, or emailed to
If you have questions call Cyndi Dwyer (402) 540-0251.
The deadline to register is Friday, May 30, 2025
Big Wins and Big Adventures: EM LifeSmarts Team Represents at Nationals!
We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of the EM LifeSmarts team — Macy Howard, Hannah Petersen, Drake Clements, Will Fox, and Michael Hynes — who recently competed at the LifeSmarts National Championship in Chicago, April 24–27, 2025!
After four intense days of competition among 46 top teams from across the country, our EM team earned a coveted spot in the Sweet 16 round. In a thrilling match, they faced off against the tournament’s #1 seed from Georgia. Although their tournament journey concluded after the first round of Sweet 16 play, their performance was nothing short of outstanding and a testament to their preparation, teamwork, and dedication. In the final placings released on May 1st, the Elmwood Murdock team was a 5th place finisher.
We are also excited to share that Hannah Petersen was awarded a $1,000 OTC Medicine Safety Individual Student Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes students who create an individual project or serve as the main leader of a project promoting over-the-counter medicine safety.
Beyond the competition, the team had the opportunity to explore Chicago and learn more about its rich history. Highlights included an architecture tour by boat, offering breathtaking views of the city’s famous skyline, and an exciting Crime History tour that brought to life Chicago’s storied past. The students also enjoyed sampling Chicago’s renowned culinary fare, including trying authentic deep-dish pizza and other local specialties.
LifeSmarts, the nation’s premier consumer program, has never been more relevant. Now entering its 30th year, LifeSmarts provides real-world education for students who learn about core consumer topics and develop critical thinking skills. Participants focus on five key topic areas: consumer rights and responsibilities, the environment, health and safety, personal finance, and technology. The goal of LifeSmarts is to create consumer-savvy young people who will be well equipped for adult life in today’s complex, global marketplace.
We are incredibly proud of our LifeSmarts team for representing our community with such heart, skill, and spirit. Way to go, EM!
ELMWOOD-MURDOCK SCHOOL WEBSITE
2022-2023 District Snapshot.pdf
Drivers Education-Murdock_2024.pdf
Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools State of Schools Report 2023-2024.pdf
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Elmwood-Murdock Area
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Elmwood Fire Hall 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
9:15 am - Sunday School for children and adults
10:30 am Sunday Divine Service
To listen to last week's Sermon Visit Pastor PodCast
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Contact Pastor Kuhlman via text, email, or phone call 402-867-4048
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Power Outage Season - Meet Joey the Outage Superman
Last year, we survived 5 days of no power.
We survived by hanging out at the local - Millard Branch of the Omaha Public Library.
The library had power, and provided free mobile phone charging, air conditioning and critically WiFi.
Our business (and livelihood) depends on nearly constant connection to the internet.
The prior year we had a 2 day power outage, that simply forced an early vacation and nightly hotels where electricity was available.
With the 2025 season of heavy weather, and power outages ahead, we were looking around for a better solution.
We had the great fortune of Meeting Joey Gillett - of Assured Electric.
In my experience a gas powered generator, was a small device with a 120vac outlet. If you had an extension cord you could connect a coffee maker.
Nice, but not a solution for a home with air conditioning, electric stove, washer and dryer. Not a power outage solution.
Power Outage Superman Joey smiled and described a generator that had a 3-phase/240v 50am outlet - and a "smart switch" to switch your home breaker box from OPPD to this small generator.
We were stunned, does this work? - Joey explained he had installed several. We asked Joey for a proposal and it was 1/3 of my expectations.
We asked Joey to proceed! In a short time Joey, and his person Nick - installed the "smart switch" under the electric meter on the back of our home.
The smart switch could sense if power was coming from OPPD - if not it will switch our home to the Generator 240v option - and then back to oppd when they were back.
Wow! What a stress reliever!! for the cost of power outage insurance, we have real power outage insurance!
Power outages, not only some from wind and fallen branches. For years there has been concern that our power grid was vulnerable to attack,
if we found ourself at war, and experienced a high altitude EMP or a natural Solar Flare. Both of which could take out the Power Grid for months
I recommend you give Power Outage Superman Joey a call at: 402-594-4515 or visit his website at https://OmahaElectrician.us email him with the contact form.
thanks Joey - Computer John
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Check out new website at www.happypawsplattsmouth.org
And download foster application!
Happy Paws Plattsmouth is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving Cass, Sarpy, and Douglas Counties
with one mission: to transform the lives of animals in need while enriching the families who welcome them home.
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COME ON OVER!
This is how country music started out, with acoustic instruments, before electricity. People sat out on the lawn, on the porch, or in a friend’s house and played their instruments together.
Enjoy the originality of music which is still present in many circles of friends.
211 Main Street
Louisville, NE
SATURDAY SHOWS:
The Jacob Austin Band
Saturday, June 21st, 2025
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
* * * * *
New Bow Old Strings
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
* * * * *
The Jacob Austin Band
Saturday, August 16th, 2025
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
JAM SESSIONS:
Second Sundays – Electric Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Fourth Sundays – Acoustic-Only Jam Session (1:00 – 4:00 PM)
Bring your instruments and enjoy an afternoon of great music and good company!
Call 402-949-0668 with any questions.
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