The case of a Norfolk teenager charged a second time with arson at his mother's home has been transferred to Madison County Juvenile Court. County Judge Ross Stoffer has agreed to a recommendation by the county attorney and public defender's office to transfer the case of Taylor Pentland, 15. Pentland is accused setting fire in March at the house at 804 North First Street that caused $80,000 in damage. He continues to be held in the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center.
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Educators from throughout Northeast Nebraska met Thursday in Norfolk to discuss how to prepare students for jobs in the 21st century. Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, says it is no longer enough to teach students specific skills in English, math, science and social studies. Speaking to teachers in the Johnny Carson Theatre, Kay said the amount of technical information doubles every 24 months, and it is no longer possible to teach students everything they need to know for a lifetime. Kay says businesses list the top five skills needed for jobs as good work ethic, ability to collaborate, good communication skills, social responsibility and critical thinking or problem solving.
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You may have seen those white signs in neighborhoods everywhere. The "Keep Kids Alive DRIVE 25" campaign was started by Tom Everson of Omaha. He will be in Norfolk on Saturday to take part in the Norfolk Junior Optimist Club's summer promotion of "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25" with a "Walk to Remember." Each participating family walking will receive one of the signs to put in their yard. The walk will take place in the area around Norfolk High School. Registration can take place anytime between 10 a.m. and 11:30 in the school's parking lot.
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Norfolk's upcoming Great American Comedy Festival is one of several agencies, organizations and groups to receive grant funding from the Nebraska Humanities Council. It recently awarded a total of $127,000 in grant funding. The comedy festival will receive $9,600 for a youth camp to be held during the festival in June. An estimated 30 students will participate under the direction of staff from the Brave New Workshop school of acting and improvisation in Minneapolis.
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A tree was planted this week at Norfolk's Skyview Lake Park. Nebraska Forest Service District Forester Steve Rasmussen says the limber pine -- planted just west of the lake's north restroom building -- will be recognized as the Skyview Lake Arboretum's 2008 Arbor Day Tree. It's also part of the effort to work toward Tree City USA recognition. Rasmussen says there's currently an effort underway in the state called "ReTree Nebraska." It encourages Nebraskans to plant one million trees in the state's communities by 2017.
