🌱 Will North Platte students clear every Angel Tree tag this Christmas?

Good morning North Platte! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Will North Platte students clear every Angel Tree tag this Christmas?
• Want to fill the open North Platte Ward Three school board seat?
• How North Platte’s new PEST Academy could change crop spraying statewide

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Craft and Vendor Show and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 66 and low of 33 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 40, low: 23.
• Saturday: Some sunshine, with a high of 36 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. North Platte High School students launch project to clear Angel Trees for Christmas (knopnews2.com) — North Platte High School’s National Honor Society is racing to clear every tag from local Angel Trees so more than 50 North Platte children get Christmas gifts. Students are collecting donations, shopping, and wrapping presents, and the Activities Office is still accepting contributions to cover everything from warm clothing to toys and books.
   

2. North Platte Public School Board of Education member resigns after less than a year representing Ward Three (knopnews2.com) — A North Platte Public Schools Board of Education seat for Ward Three is now vacant after member Justin Thompson resigned upon moving out of the ward. Residents interested in serving can submit a letter of interest and full application by Jan. 2, 2026, with candidate interviews and an appointment planned for a special meeting on Jan. 8.
   

3. UNL West Central's Precision Application Technology Lab launches PEST Academy (thefencepost.com) — UNL’s West Central Research, Extension and Education Center in North Platte is launching a new Precision Education in Spray Technologies (PEST) Academy to train applicators and ag professionals in data-driven, sustainable pest management. Sessions begin this week and run through April 2026, offering over 16 hours of instruction, potential UNL micro-credentials, and Nebraska Department of Agriculture recertification credits.
   

4. Tyson plant closure devastates Nebraska farming (farmprogress.com) — North Platte’s Sustainable Beef plant is ramping up to process about 1,500 cattle a day, partly offsetting slaughter capacity lost from Tyson’s looming Lexington plant closure. The article explains how that shutdown will shake Nebraska’s beef industry, affect thousands of workers, and push some producers toward more local or direct-to-consumer marketing options, with several resources listed to help farmers and displaced employees.
   

5. Strong start leads North Platte Community College men over Hastings College JV (nptelegraph.com) — North Platte Community College men’s basketball rolled past Hastings College JV 90-55 after a dominant opening stretch on Monday night. The Knights controlled the game from the start and spread minutes across the roster, showcasing strong early-season form that local fans will be eager to follow.
   

📸 Around North Platte

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🗓 Upcoming Events in North Platte

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• A Dusty Trails Christmas — Dusty Trails LLC
  Dusty Trails, LLC, North Platte
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• AMS Lower Gyms- Boys Basketball- D. Miller
  Adams Middle School North Platte, NE 69101
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Holiday Craft and Vendor Show
  D & N Event Center , 501 E Walker Rd , North Platte
  9:00 am
• American Legion Army/Navy Football Game Watch Party
  Brothers Tavern , 215 E 6th St , North Platte
  2:00 pm
• Winter Wonderland Holiday Event
  Lincoln County Fairgrounds , 5015 Rodeo Rd , North Platte
  4:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• AMS All Gyms- Volleyball- C. Friesen
  Adams Middle School North Platte, NE 69101
  4:00 pm

Monday December 15

• 8th Girls Basketball vs. St. Pat's at AMS
  Adams Middle School North Platte, NE 69101
  4:00 pm
• AMS Lower Gyms- Boys Basketball- D. Miller
  Adams Middle School North Platte, NE 69101
  7:00 pm

📣 North Platte Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Basketball: Girls JV vs. Sandhills Valley CO-OP (Home)
  Sutherland High School Sutherland
  4:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys JV vs. Sandhills Valley (coop Stapleton/McPherson) (Home)
  Sutherland High School
  4:30 pm
• Basketball: Girls Varsity vs. Sandhills Valley CO-OP (Home)
  Sutherland High School Sutherland
  6:00 pm
• Basketball: Boys Varsity vs. Sandhills Valley CO-OP (Home)
  Sutherland High School Sutherland
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Owens Corning, Inc. posted a job opening for Trim Team Member in North Platte. Apply here.
• AmanaCare posted a job opening for Caregiving Coordinator in North Platte. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near North Platte here.

Ok North Platte! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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