Good morning, Grand Island.

Pound Middle School celebrated Career and Technical Education Month in February by having students bake mini pizzas (a hands-on culinary lesson) that blends fun with learning.

Dr. Kent Mann was appointed Feb.

12 to fill the Ward A vacancy on the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education and will take office on March 16. He brings 44 years of experience — including 19 as principal at Grand Island Senior High School — and will file for election.

Forestry professionals advise residents to water trees during the drought by using deep watering that reaches 8 to 12 inches into the soil, and they recommend prioritizing young trees (including newly planted ones) to reduce stress and protect local landscapes.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (released on Thursday, Feb.

12) found that drought conditions affect almost all of south-central Nebraska, with moderate drought north of the Platte River and abnormally dry conditions to its south. Nearly 95 percent of the state is in drought while the Climate Prediction Center forecasts slightly above normal rain over the next 8-14 days.

The Grand Island police department nears completion of its shared facility renovation (a cost-effective solution for its growing force) that will boost local resources.

The collaborative project is expected to support the expanding department.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported 367 whooping cough cases in 2025 and warned that early symptoms can be mistaken for a cold.

Officials stressed that timely antibiotics and vaccination protect infants and young children — a key measure as infection rates rose.

CHI Health St. Francis warned that vaping, energy drinks and muscle-building supplements popular with young people are linked to high blood pressure, arrhythmias and early heart issues; doctors urge healthier habits with more water and vegetables to prevent further heart problems.

Nebraska women’s basketball lost their fourth straight contest to Minnesota, 84 to 67, on Thursday in Minneapolis — the Cornhuskers will return Monday at 11 a.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena to face Iowa.

The Grand Island Senior High girls bowling team won their first state title by capturing the Class A championship at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln this week.

Kearney's Fulton Moyer also claimed the Class A Boys Singles title in a hard-fought final.

The Heartland Events Center will host the 19th-Annual Heartland Hoops Classic on Saturday with eight high school games from 8:30 a.m. to 8:10 p.m. General admission costs $17 and tickets are available at the box office or online via Ticketmaster.

No. 11 Nebraska’s softball team split its games at the Clearwater Invitational, winning 6-0 against LSU on Thursday but falling 6-5 to Georgia.

The team prepares to face No. 3 Tennessee today at 11 a.m. in Clearwater.

Jhon Alex Castaño Concert

9 p.m. – 1 a.m. — 4th St. Banquet — Ticket pricing varies — Enjoy an evening of vibrant music with Jhon Alex Castaño and La Iguana.

Master Plan for Entrepreneurship: Dream, Plan, Do - Interactive Business Plan Workshop

1-3 p.m. — Central Community College - Grand Island — Registration required — Develop a comprehensive business plan using practical tools and templates in this interactive workshop.

American Chili Cook Off

11 AM – 1 PM — Fonner Park — Tickets available at the door — Enjoy a day filled with delicious homemade chilis and support the American Red Cross.

Ian Munsick: The Eagle Flies Free Tour

7-9 p.m. — Heartland Events Center — Tickets available via Ticketmaster — Enjoy an evening of captivating music from rising star Ian Munsick in a community-friendly setting.