Fillmore County Residents Have Notification Options

Fillmore County residents currently have the opportunity to register for notifications about public safety, community information, severe weather alerts and emergencies through the Fillmore County Community Alert System.

Notifications can be received on your landline, cell phone, email and on Facebook.  Fillmore County Emergency Manager Jim Dunker is very positive about the new system, “The AlertSense notification system is a very versatile system in that it can provide more than just weather notifications.  Safety and event notifications can also be received.”

Public safety notifications that subscribers might receive include criminal activity, active shooter/intruder, imminent danger, hazardous materials issues, wildfire, floods, shelter in place and evacuation notifications.

The community event notification component includes notifications of road closures, snow emergencies, power outages, water main shut-offs, 911 outages or utility disruptions.  Many residents currently receive severe weather alerts but may not know that their location can be tailored and the severity of level of notification.

There are two ways that county residents may be included in these notifications.  First, they should go online to register their cell phone at http://public.alertsense.com/Signup/?regionid=1288  The second option is to download the free MyAlerts app available in stores online which allows you to sign  up for notifications from various locations. For example, if you take a camping trip in the county 20 miles away from your home you can change your location to the camping location so that you can receive any severe weather notifications while in the area.

Dunker emphasized. “Any shared information remains private and is only used to deliver subscribed emergency alerts and community notifications.”

IPAWS Test

2019 IPAWS National Test

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and radio and television Emergency Alert System (EAS) participants, will conduct a nationwide test of EAS beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 7th, 2019. A backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21st, 2019, if needed. The test, which uses IPAWS, is a key way to assess the operational readiness of the Nation’s alert and warning infrastructures for distribution of a national message and determine whether technological improvements are warranted.

Public safety officials need to be sure that they are able to get urgent, life-saving alerts to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of our national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity, focusing on the capability of EAS radio and television providers to distribute a test message nationwide.

The 2019 IPAWS National Test of EAS will broadcast a test message that is approximately one minute long. Broadcast radio and television, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers will each broadcast the test message once within a few minutes of the test. The national EAS test message will look and sound very much like the regular Required Monthly Test messages broadcast by all EAS participants.

This will be the first time since the adoption of the National Periodic Test (NPT) EAS Event Code that FEMA has conducted a nationwide EAS test using the NPT code and initiation of the test message from the National Public Warning System component of IPAWS.

The EAS test message is expected to have limited impact on the public with only a minor interruption to regular radio and television programs. The EAS test message will be: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communication Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required."

The FCC requires all EAS Participants – that is, radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers – to participate in this test and collects data through the EAS Test Reporting System.

The FEMA IPAWS program continues to examine how to make the test message and all alert and warning messages more accessible to those with access and functional needs, and with limited English proficiency. Due to technical limitations of the aural only over-the-air EAS relay that will be used for this year’s test, there will be no supporting English or Spanish full message text display on television screens.

Please contact the IPAWS Program Management Office at IPAWS@fema.dhs.gov if you have any questions.

Exeter Fun Days - Parade

The flag led the way carried by the Exeter American Legion and Sons of the Legion members.

Exeter American Legion Post 218 members rode on their float with the empty chair draped with a P.O.W. remembrance flag.  Back row pictured are Bob Becker (left) and Jack Underwood (right, hidden) and front row Butch Jansen (left) and Richard Nicholas.

Julie Polak, left, Gary McBride, middle, and Norm Yound enjoyed coffee as the rolled down the parade route on the Exeter Senior Center’s float.

Tom Weber of Friend had a little extra message on the back of his old chopper.

Kenny Krasser converted a manure spreader to haul a sweet load pictured from the left, Levi Jurgensen, Kenan Petersen, Lynn Jurgensen and Hannah Petersen.

Participants in the Exeter Public Library summer reading program built a float based on their theme “A Universe of Stories” and handed out information during the parade.  Pictured from the left are Chezney Kanode, Librarian Lynette Trauger, Brooklyn Oldehoeft, Richard Hickman and Charles Trauger (driving).

Gavin Mueller helps his uncle, Nick Sudrla, advertise Sudrla Water Service.  Kenleigh Sudrla rides along to supervise.

Below – Exeter-Milligan-Friend Girl Scout Troop 20703 tossed candy and their leaders also passed out Girl Scout cookies on the parade route.  Pictured from the left are Kendyll Tomlinson  Brooklyn Oldehoeft and Chezney Kanode.

 Girl Scout Leader Kendra Oldehoeft passes out Girl Scout cookies through the parade route.

Exeter Fun Days - Saturday Games and Car Show

Kenan Petersen picks a duck during the park activities.

Exeter-Milligan-Friend Girl Scout Troop 20703 held free games in the park for the kids on Saturday morning. Reed Wince was pretty excited about the treat he picked out for his prize.

Girl Scout Brooklyn Oldehoeft explains how to play the ring toss game to Ryker (right) and Rex (left) Wince.

Paul Kallhoff has his face painted by Daisy Kanode at the Exeter-Milligan-Friend Girl Scout Troop 20703 games during Exeter Fun Days. Below Tylie Due takes her shot throwing a ping pong ball.

There were cars, tractors and rat rods to see at Exeter Fun Days.

Exeter Days 2019 Friday

 Gavin Mueller, left, and Crosby Oldehoeft, right, burn off some of the energy from the supper the Exeter Area Community Foundation provided for community members before the outdoor movie started on Friday night.

There was something for everyone at Exeter Fun Days Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27^th.

The weekend started with a quilt of valor program downtown followed by supper and an outdoor movie, “The Lion King” sponsored by the Exeter Area Community Foundation. 

Softball tournaments started on Friday at the ball field along with a fun run held before supper. Saturday morning was filled with a bake sale and car show downtown and all kinds of games sponsored by Exeter-Milligan-Friend Girl Scout Troop 20703 at Gilbert’s Park.

The girls scouts had ring toss, choose a duck, face painting, toss tic-tac-toe along with a parachute and corn hole.  A special game in the area used beads to teach about coding.  For lunch, Handy Hands 4H group held a walking taco sale in the park.

The parade and supper meal with a polka band were the highlights of the weekend with entries ranging from business to the Exeter Public Library summer reading program float.

Everyone enjoyed the picnic outside in downtown Exeter provided by the Exeter Area Community Foundation.  Clockwise from the left are Bonnie Cudaback, Elaine Oldehoeft, Pete Oldehoeft (hidden), Jerry Chapman and Larry Cudaback.

Exeter-Milligan Update: FCCLA National Leadership Conference

NEBRASKA FCCLA MEMBERS AND ADVISER RECOGNIZED WITH SUCCESS AT NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) largest National Leadership Conference was held in Anaheim, California June 30-July 4. More than 8,700 attendees gathered to expand leadership skills, sharpen talents, explore career pathways, and listen to inspiring speakers. Nebraska FCCLA was well represented by over 350 students, advisers, and guests.

This year’s conference theme encouraged participants to “Believe in Yourself” through competing in Competitive Events, running for office, partaking in Leadership Academy, and continuing to make a positive impact within their families, communities, and careers. Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with Red Talks, attend the Ford Driving Skills for Life event, learn about potential career and college opportunities at the EXPO, and interact with leaders from across the nation.

“It is always inspiring to watch so many young leaders come together and realize their full potential through competition, career training, and leadership workshops,” said Sandy Spavone, Executive Director of FCCLA. “This National Leadership Conference was a great success thanks to the National Board of Directors, National Staff, National Executive Council and their advisers, as well as the students, advisers, and organization’s supporters.”

Madeline Wittstruck from Milford High School was one of ten national officers elected to serve on the Family, Career and Communities Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) National Executive Council at the National Leadership Conference. Madeline will be serving as FCCLA’s Vice- President of Finance throughout the 2019-2020 year. Joyce Potthoff serves at the Milford FCCLA Chapter Adviser.

Twenty-eight National Officer Candidates took part in the National Executive Council election process as they underwent intense interviews, a FCCLA knowledge test, and presented a prepared speech on-stage during the five-day conference. The FCCLA Leadership Academy develops leadership, employability, and 21 st Century skills and gives members the opportunity to be recognized for their personal growth efforts. Through the program, members are given the opportunity to explore and practice essentials for the roles of family member, wage earner and community leader. The eight members of the Nebraska FCCLA State Officer Team participated in the Leadership Academy including: Sydney Erickson, Pierce; Makenna Welke, O’Neill; Alexis Cherry, Twin River; Caitlin Murphy, Exeter-Milligan; Sydney Schildt, Milford; Jaiden Johnson, Bloomfield, Alyssa Bell, Milford; and Irelynd Pearson, Twin River.

Mary Lou Vossler, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Exeter-Milligan Public School, received the 2019 Spirit of Advising Award. This is an honor bestowed on only one FCCLA Chapter Adviser from each state.  Kristin Vest, State Adviser for Nebraska, nominated Vossler due to her exemplary advising. This award is based upon the ability to recognize chapter advisers who are constantly faithful and often quietly working behind the scenes to ensure the success of their students.

In addition to the many learning and networking experiences offered at the conference, more than 30 Family and Consumer Sciences related competitive events, also known as STAR (Students Taking Action with Recognition) Events. Events aim to support student development of knowledge and skills by enhancing the classroom experience and career pathway initiatives by equipping students with employable skills and industry insights needed to thrive in the 21^st century. 

FCCLA members choose what STAR Event they would like to compete in, events vary from Early Childhood Education, Entrepreneurship, and Sports Nutrition to Fashion Design, Job Interview, and Culinary Arts. STAR Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for their proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation.

Of the 4,700 competitors, Nebraska had 167 participants who came home with 96 Gold medals, 60 Silver Medals, and 11 Bronze medals and had multiple individuals and teams score in the top 10 nationally. Nebraska members brought home 56 Top Ten award winning events. The Top Ten award winners nationally include:

Caitlin Murphy, Exeter-Milligan – Leadership,”Learning to Lead” Gold Medal and placed #3 Nationally in her category/event.

Caitlin Murphy also represents Nebraska FCCLA as a state officer – Vice President of Competitive Events