Lourdes students Bret Kochanowicz and Jameson DeFreece display the banner for Life of an Athlete

"One night of drinking erases 14 days of athletic training." This is the message Otoe County youth are communicating on a daily basis to their peers, parents and the entire community this school year. The message is based on research from the American Athletic Institute.

John Underwood, a former world-class athlete and a trainer of Olympic athletes, heads up the American Athletic Institute. Underwood visited the schools and medical professionals in Otoe County last year where he presented his research and the Life of an Athlete Code of Conduct. "The Life of an Athlete", initiated in 2002 targets male and female adolescent athletes, coaches, parents, athletic directors and communities. It is based on the realization that in order for an Interscholastic Athletic program to function, all stakeholders must take an active and vigilant role. The program sets the foundation for ownership, focus, dedication, purpose, goals, collective and personal responsibility.

Students took Underwood's message to heart and are using it in a campaign to prevent underage drinking. Students worked with Jennifer Conway of Conway Communications to develop their campaign. Messages include:

Radio ads airing on KNCY are voiced by Amanda Chapin and Perry Giles from Nebraska City High School, Nick and Ellen Wulf from Nebraska City Lourdes and Paige Zastera from Syracuse High School.
Banners and popcorn bags that will be used at athletic events were developed by the athletic department at Lourdes under the direction of Mr. Andy Fedoris, the PRiDE organization at NCHS under the direction of Ms. Dawn Leu, the STOP group at Syracuse High School under the direction of Ms. Wendy Buchanan, and the PARTY student organization at Palmyra High School under the direction of Ms. Char Church.

Check out next week's newsletter for photos of the Syracuse STOP Students and Palmyra P.A.R.T.Y. Students with their new banners.

Nebraska City PRiDE Students displaying the banners they designed

by Jodi Baker sixonline@wowt.com

Those busted for drunk driving will face new, stiffer penalties under Nebraska law.

Among the changes, procuring alcohol for a minor becomes a felony if there's a fatal crash involved. And first-time D.U.I. offenders would either have their license revoked for several months or, if they qualify, be allowed to drive only with an ignition interlock device.
Click here to find out more!

"I think the message is that no drinking and driving will be tolerated by the law. The legislature's enacted stiff penalties to punish those people," said Sarpy County Judge Jeffrey Funke.

Funke told Channel 6 News he hopes the law makes a dent in the repeat offenders which appear so often before him.

Omaha Police Sergeant Tony Gutierrez said the changes won't impact patrols immediately. But within a month or so, they'll begin to see those first offenders who are required to use the ignition interlock.

"What we want people to understand," he said, "is if you say, drive a friend's car and you're required to have an interlock device, and you drive a car without one, you could be charged with a Class IV felony."

Funke added, there are enhanced penalties for repeat offenders including ankle bracelets for third time offenders or higher. The bracelets monitor blood alcohol level and notifies the court if an offender is in violation.

Drinking and driving with children, 16 or younger, becomes an offense for the first time - a misdemeanor. "It encourages people not to put their children at risk," Funke said.

He and others in the judicial system have a 10-page cheat sheet on the changes. "It's challenging for judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys," he said of all the changes that come down to the unicameral each year.

"But I think the changes are necessary to address the problems sooner, to make a bigger impact right away."

Gutierrez added, "We're hoping that we have safer drivers on the road. That's the long-term goal. Time will tell if that's what actually takes place."

A message from

David Partsch & Tim Noerrlinger

Otoe County Attorney's Office

"We need to set a higher standard and have better expectations for our kids. They need to know early - before age 10 - that drinking alcohol is harmful to their health and not acceptable conduct prior to age 21. Even after age 21 binge drinking is extremely dangerous. Parents also should be aware that here in Nebraska a parent or adult host that allows minors to drink alcohol may be held responsible both criminally and civilly for damages.

Any person allowing a minor, under 18, to drink could be charged with "contributing to the delinquency of a minor", a crime punishable by a maximum $1,000 dollar fine and/or one year imprisonment. The same individual hosting a drinking party or providing alcohol for anyone under age 21 could also be charged with procuring alcohol. On both of these crimes, there can be as many counts charged as there are kids drinking. Generally procuring alcohol carries same penalties as outlined for contributing delinquency to a minor.

Now consider if an underage youth is provided alcohol and then causes serious bodily injury or death to another person maybe in a car crash . . . Nebraska criminal law enhances the penalty for procurring alcohol to a Class IIIA Felony, punishable by up to by a maximum $10,000 dollar fine and/or five years imprisonment with a mandatory minimum 30 days imprisonment! Are you willing to roll the dice and assume a minor won't hurt anyone after drinking?

If criminal punishment isn't enough of a deterant, a social host for minors drinking is also on the book civilly for damages. Any person (or their estate) which is injured or has property damaged by an intoxicated minor may bring suit against: the host who allowed the minor to consume alcohol; the person who procurred, or bought, the alcohol for the minor; or the retailer knowingly selling to the minor.

Bottom line: Don't let your kid drink; don't let any kids drink. In addition to harming them, allowing them to drink may harm you too."

Students at Nebraska City and Syracuse middle schools have opportunities to participate in After School Clubs led by visiting artists each quarter, thanks to grants from the Nebraska Arts Council and The Steinhart Foundation.

Syracuse Middle School Student Kirsten poses in front of artwork made in Painting Club

Sarah Martin, a painter, professional framer and arts educator from Lincoln, Nebraska, led Painting Clubs at Nebraska City Middle School during the first quarter and at Syracuse Middle School during the second quarter of the school year. Ms. Martin's art club not only introduces students to a variety of painting and drawing media but also brings to life the work of famous artists such as Kandinsky and Warhol.

Jenni Brant, a potter an director of the KHN Center, and Eric Petersen, a ceramic artist and painter from Lincoln, NE, led two sections of Clay Clubs at Nebraska City Middle School during the second quarter of the school year. The Clay Club gives students the opportunity to work and build with their hands while introducing them to ceramic artifacts of ancient cultures such as the Mimbres of the Southwest and the pottery of ancient Greece. The same opportunity will be offered at Syracuse Middle School during the fourth quarter of the school year. 

Students were given the opportunity to exhibit the work created during the After School Clubs this semester at the Kimmel-Nelson-Harding Center for the Arts in Nebraska City the week of December 12th. The highlight was a reception held at the center on December 13th, whGroup photo KHNere students came to the center to view the exhibit and show off their creations to family and friends. Janie's Confections provided cookies for the reception. Students had the opportunity to see the studios being used by artists in residence at the center, visit with resident artists about their work, and learn a bit about the history of the center and gallery etiquette.

Syracuse Middle School students enjoyed a Music Club first quarter led by Daniel Christian, a composer and musician from Tecumseh. Nebraska City students will have an opportunity to participate in Music Club second semester. Summer Ann Widhalm, a visiting artist from Hickman, NE, will lead the Drama Club at Syracuse Middle School third quarter. For more information about After School Clubs, contact Amanda Davis at 402-269-3166. More student artwork can be viewed on the P4OC website.

From Monday, December 12 until Friday, December 16, the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts will feature work made by Nebraska City Public and Syracuse Public middle school students. Work included in this special week-long show was created during after school art clubs at both schools during 1st and 2nd quarters of this year. The clubs are held in partnership with the Nebraska City Public Schools, Syracuse Public Schools and Partners for Otoe County with funding provided by the Nebraska Arts Council and the Steinhart Foundation. Parents, students, and the general public are invited to attend a reception to celebrate the student work on Tuesday, December 13 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is located at 801 3rd Corso in Nebraska City will be open extended hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments at other times are encouraged: please call ahead. Both the exhibit and the reception are free, handicapped accessible, and open to the public. For more information, call 402-874-9600 or visit www.khncenterforthearts.org.

Contact person:

Pat Friedli, assistant director

Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts

801 3rd Corso, Nebraska City, NE 68410

Phone/fax: 402-874-9600

Email: pfriedli@khncenterforthearts.org

The scandal at Penn State University has many questioning moral and judicial judgment when it comes to reporting child abuse. Channel 6 finds out what local laws require.

As more and more allegations come out about former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, Penn State University's Athletic Director and an administrator are facing charges of lying to a grand jury and for failing to report suspected child abuse.

In Pennsylvania, a person who through their employment or profession comes in contact with children is required by law to report suspected child abuse.

In Nebraska the law is much different. Rakel Reed, a Prevention Services Supervisor with the Child Saving Institute, says everyone in the Cornhusker state is expected to call or report to Child Protective Services if they see child abuse or neglect.

"If they saw a child being hurt would do what they could do to try and protect that kid and make sure that the kids are being kept safe," Reed explained.

Nebraska law says not only are professionals required to report, but everyone else with reasonable cause must come forward. If not, someone could be charged with Failure to Report.

In Iowa, mandatory reporting is for all mental or physical health practitioners, educators, child care providers, and law enforcement. For everyone else it's not required, but optional.

Reed says though it may not be law everywhere, moral judgment should play a factor as well.

"We have to do what's best for the kids in making sure that we're keeping our children protected," Reed described.

If you would like to report a case of child abuse in Iowa call 1-800-362-2178, or in Nebraska call the Abuse/Neglect Hotline at 1-800-652-1999.

Source: WOWT.COM Reporter: Jake Wasikowski

Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

Click here to read the Nebraska State Statute defining child abuse and here to read the Nebraska State Statute for reporting child abuse.

Approximately 50 people attended the Partners for Otoe County Focus 2020 Event at the Nebraska City Center for Children and Families on November 10th. The purpose of the event was to recognize folks who make an outstanding contribution to the community, get acquainted with people serving new professional roles in the community and to announce new community-wide outcome measures planned through the year 2020 and beyond. Dave LeGrand, Vice-Chair of the Partners for Otoe County Board of Directors presented the awards.

Jenni Brant and Pat Friedli accept the Organization of the Year Award on behalf of the Kimmel-Harding-Nelson Center for the Arts

Organization of the Year - KHN Center for the Arts

The Kimmel-Harding-Nelson Center for the Arts was selected as the Organization of the Year for 2011. P4OC has been holding a Summer Art Camp in the classroom at the KHN Center for the past four years. The facilities are wonderful and the center displays student work after camp is over for the community to see.

The staff at the KHN center are highly collaborative partners in after school programming at the middle schools in Nebraska City and Syracuse. They assist in finding qualified artists to lead after school clubs, they connect students with their artists in residence whenever possible, and they open exhibits for student viewing. Jenni and Pat provide expertise that enhances the quality and artistic merit of local youth programming. Most communities of our size do not have local exposure to the arts like the KHN Center provides, and we are indeed lucky to have them in our community.

Volunteer of the Year

Dave LeGrand presents Brooke Chaney with the Volunteer of the Year Award

The 2011 Volunteer of the Year is Brooke Chaney. Brooke began volunteering with People United for Families back in high school when she became a Study Buddies Tutor. She became a TeamMates Mentor in March of 2005 and was matched with a third student last month. Brooke was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007. She served as Vice-Chair of the board last year and Chairs its Marketing Committee. Brooke has been a member of the Otoe County CASA Board since they began planning for the local program in 2008 and currently serves as Chair. Brooke's "day job" is with the Southeast District Health Department where she coordinates the Growing Great Kids Program in Southeast Nebraska and other public health prevention activities. Brooke is a great role model for community service.

Catalyst for Change Award - Officer Ben Murry

Chief Dave Lacy accepts the Catalyst for Change Award for Office Ben Murry

The Catalyst for Change Award recognizes a person or organization who recognizes a problem and initiates change to do something about it.

Officer Ben Murry was chosen for the award this year for initiating the Designated Driver Rewards Program. Two years ago Officer Murry attended the National Lifesavers Conference, and came back with the idea to create this program. P4OC wrote a mini-grant so Officer Murry could implement the program this year and the Southeast District Health Department provided the funding. With the Designated Driver Rewards Program, people who do not use alcohol and give rides home to others receive gift cards donated by local merchants.

Officer Murry began full-time for NCPD in August of 2008. Chief Lacy says that Officer Murry coaches the younger officers as to what to look for and often will assist other officers during their traffic stop for drug interdiction investigations. He also spends his work time assisting our Field Training Officers with new police officer training with new police officer training.

Officer Murry serves as the Nebraska City Police Department's liaison officer with other department drug investigators and proactively shares drug Intel with other agencies.

Officer Murry is a great source of Intel for the department as he has developed many relationships with individuals who trust him.

For a list of former award winners, visit http://www.p4oc.org/about/awards/.

Please Join Us
For an
Open House
Thursday, November 10, 2011
from 9:00 to 10:30 am
A brief program will take place
from 9:15 to 9:30
at the Nebraska City Center
for Children and Families
917 Wildwood Lane
join us to
Announce communitywide
outcome measures planned through
the year 2020 and beyond...
Recognize individuals who
make outstanding contributions
to our community, and...
Welcome professionals who
serve in new roles in Otoe County.
An RSVP would be appreciated before Monday, November 7th
by calling 402-873-6343, but is not required.

Dispose of your unused or expired prescription medications in a free, safe, anonymous way on Saturday, October 29th, from 10:00 to 2:00 at the City Hall parking lot, 1409 Central, in Nebraska City or 10:00 to 1:00 at the Syracuse Fair Grounds.

Seven of the 10 most common drugs abused by teenagers are prescription medications.

Americans are abusing prescription drugs at record levels - often raiding medicine cabinets of friends and family. Flushing medications down the toilet can harm the water supply.

Operation Pill Drop is being sponsored locally by Partners For Otoe County, Nebraska City Police Department, Otoe County Sheriff's Office, U-Save Pharmacy, St. Mary's Community Hospital, Nebraska City Medical Clinic, Town & Country Pharmacy, Syracuse Memorial Hospital, Walgreens, NC Housing Authority, Southeast District Health Department, Region V Systems, Nebraska City Elks Lodge and the Drug Enforcement Agency. For more information call 873-6343.

We are pleased to announce that Carla Uhrmacher will be coordinating the Study Buddies Tutoring Program at the Nebraska City site this school year. Ms. Uhrmacher is the High Ability Learning Coordinator at Nebraska City Public Schools. She also coordinates the "Homework Club" on Tuesdays at Hayward Elementary. She has been teaching in the district for nine years. We're excited for the opportunity to have a teacher within the school district coordinating Study Buddies! Ms. Uhrmacher is current on the school's curriculum for all grade levels and she will be able to connect more easily with classroom teachers for greater continuity between what the student is learning in school and needs to work on at Study Buddies.

In Syracuse, Amy Kane will be co- leading with Amanda Davis. We are excited to have her on board. Amy was a former high school/jr. high English teacher. She has two children currently in Syracuse Schools and lives with her husband Dennis outside of Avoca. She currently substitutes for Syracuse Public Schools.

With the new school quarter approaching, teachers are referring students to Study Buddies at Parent-Teacher Conferences, so now is the time to join our team! We are currently looking for more volunteers. We have a need for more volunteers in each community! In Syracuse we currently need 2 more volunteers, and in Talmage we need 3. More volunteers will be needed in Nebraska City as well in order to serve new children. We are anticipating more involvement soon as well, so if you are interested please contact us today! You can make a difference-contact us today about the fun and rewarding program.

Study Buddies is a one-to-one tutoring program that matches an elementary student with a volunteer tutor. The pair works together on reading or math skills one hour per week. Study Buddies sessions take place on Mondays at 5:00 at Arbor Bank in Nebraska City, Tuesdays after school at Syracuse Middle School and Wednesdays at 4:45 at the Talmage Library. Tutors are currently needed some more kids can participate. For more information call 873-6343.