Good morning, Grand Island.

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation raised over $177,000 at its Harvest event on Sept 25 at Riverside Golf Club to fund classroom grants, scholarships, and professional development for students and staff.

The event featured auctions and honored local leaders Ron and Dan Eakes (recipients of the Heart of the Foundation Award).

Farmer Brandon Hunnicutt said a dry April and May was followed by his wettest June and July and low corn prices are straining his operations by raising costs for seed and equipment.

The low prices are also hurting local equipment dealers (including those in Grand Island) and will affect the supply chain as his corn goes to ethanol plants (which also produce livestock feed).

Fifteen third graders from Grand Island were honored in the Great Escapes program — they received certificates and a fire truck ride to school on Wednesday morning.

Officials said some cottonwood trees will be cut down at Pier Park as part of plans to update the park's layout—residents can expect more details on the project soon.

The Grand Island Fire Department finished its transition to new Fire Station #3 at 2310 S.

Webb Road after operating from both facilities until last week and began demolishing the 1987-built station on November 5 to clear the site for parking and drainage work. The new station adds over 500 square feet, a larger truck bay, modern safety features, and expanded living quarters to support nine firefighters on three shifts — with capacity to grow to 15 and to accommodate an ambulance and aerial truck for the growing southwest corridor.

Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola underwent successful surgery in New York to mend his broken fibula after he was injured during the third quarter of the USC game — head coach Matt Rhule said he will miss the rest of the season as freshman TJ Lateef takes his place while Raiola is expected to recover over eight to 10 weeks.

The Overton Eagles beat the Southwest Roughriders in four sets — 27-25, 25-22, 18-25 and 25-21 — in the NSAA D1 Volleyball State Championships opener, with Daisy Ryan posting 23 kills and 20 digs.

Overton will play Shelton tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

The top-seeded Amherst Broncos beat the Cross County Cougars in four sets during the NSAA D1 Volleyball State Championships—four Broncos scored in double digits with Libby Mitchell leading with 18 kills, and Amherst will face Exeter-Milligan/Friend at 9 a.m. today.

Dashing for Donuts

8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. — Grand Island YMCA — Registration fee required — Participate in a delightful 1-mile dash and enjoy some sweet treats in Grand Island.