On-premises beer and wine sales on Sundays in Norfolk may now begin an hour earlier at 11 a.m. The City Council approved an ordinance Monday night at the request of Carter Olson, general manager of Kings Lanes. The bowling alley will host about 2,000 people attending the Men's State Bowling Tournament on weekends between February 20th and April 20th. The ordinance -- approved s6-1 with Jim Lange voting no -- effects all liquor establishments in the city and not just Kings Lanes.
The City and the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce have entered into an agreement for the Chamber to purchase abandoned railroad property on the southeast corner of 7th Street and Norfolk Avenue -- the site of its proposed new building and "visitors center." City Public Works Director Dennis Smith says the purchase agreement is for just under $24,000. Chamber officials are scheduled to give a sneak peek of the new building Wednesday evening.
A survey of business leaders in Nebraska and eight other Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is improving. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said in the survey report released today that "the likelihood of dipping back into recessionary territory has diminished significantly."
Two men were sentenced to prison terms Monday in Stanton County District Court. County Sheriff Mike Unger reports that Brandon Anderson, 29, of rural Norfolk was sentenced to 20 to 36 months in prison for his conviction on charges of possession of a controlled substance. District Judge Robert Ensz also sentenced Jesse Bowman, 23, of Stanton to 12 to 24 months for sexual assault of a child.
The groundhog has spoken. And it's bad news. Punxsutawney Phil has emerged to see his shadow before chilly revelers in Pennsylvania, meaning winter will last another six weeks. German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on Feb. 2 - the Christian holiday of Candlemas - winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.
WJAG Weather Eye meteorologist Tony Sudano says our winter is not over. Sudano is predicting a frigid blast next week that will include below zero temperatures and more snow.
