Springfield Wednesday Newsletter: March 18, 2020

Since all events, meetings, and gatherings are cancelled for the foreseeable future, the Springfield Electronic Newsletter will bring you news of announcements, important updates, fun tips, and maybe a joke or two. Check in for current information of up-to-the minute news. We’ll do what we can to make it through these times. Hang in there everyone. Many Blessings!

Bond Flyer

2020 Facebook Papillion Data Center

Community Action Grants Recipients

We are excited to share the 2020 recipients of the Facebook's Community Action Grants, a program created to address needs in Sarpy County by putting the power of technology to use for community benefit, connecting people online or off, and improving STEM education. This is the first year of Community Action Grants for the Papillion Data Center. We are invested in the long-term vitality of the community and this year, 13 outstanding nonprofits and schools were awarded grants to support their work. On Thursday Facebook announced the recipients on our Papillion Data Center page.

Bellevue Public Schools / $6,680/ This grant will support the technology upgrades needed to expand STEM programming for 420 Bellevue students.

Bellevue West High School / $11,753/ This grant will be used to provide technology support for lab equipment and graphing calculators to facilitate small-group, lab-based discovery education and analysis.

Gifford Farm Education Center / $11,758/ This grant will be used to purchase new technology to expand STEM programming both at the center and through mobile applications for schools, which will benefit thousands of local students.

Gretna Public Schools / $20,000/ This grant will support the robotics curriculum of the Innovative Technologies Laboratory and bring expanded STEM programming to Gretna.

Nebraskans for Solar / $10,000/ This grant will support the Nebraska Solar Schools program, provide schools in Sarpy County with National Energy Education Development Solar Energy Kits for enhanced STEM programming, and provide renewable energy training for students.

Papillion Area Historical Society / $5,470/ This grant will fund technology needs to expand outreach and further connect the community in support of Papillion’s sesquicentennial.

Papillion Community Foundation / $17,000/ This grant will support the technology needed to fully utilize the foundation’s new location and expand city-wide programming for community benefit.

Papillion La Vista Community Schools / $51,850/ Three district-wide STEM grants will be used to purchase and upgrade robotics capabilities - $13,650; expand virtual reality programming - $27,200; and provide coding education resources for students - $11,000.

Papillion La Vista Community Theatre / $5,000/ This grant will fund the technology needed to support theater productions in Sarpy County and further connect the community through performing arts.

Sarpy County Historical Society / $5,000/ This grant will support technology for an exhibit space to expand STEM and history programming for thousands of local students.

Springfield Platteview Community Schools / $57,842/ Five district-wide grants will provide enhanced training for high school STEM teachers - $2,000; generally expand STEM programming at each elementary school - $2,000; fully fund the necessary supplies and materials for Emerging Technology and Material Science courses - $21,034; purchase an Osmo Learning Kit for the benefit of elementary students - $6,026; and expand engineering and robotics offerings for middle and high school students - $26,782.

Springfield Memorial Library / $1,895/ This grant will support the creation of a STEM makerspace at Springfield Memorial Library for the benefit of the community.

YMCA of Greater Omaha / $5,519/ This grant will support the purchase of several robotics kits to expand STEM programming for nearly 150 local students who participate in the Sarpy YMCA’s Summer Day Camp.

Congratulations to the 2020 Community Action Grants Recipients!

Important Tip!

Call first before heading out to any meeting, event, or official business. For example: Sarpy County Courthouse is closed to the public. Business can be conducted online or by mail.

OPPD and M.U.D. temporarily closing customer service offices

The well-being of our customers and our employees is a top priority for Omaha Public Power District and Metropolitan Utilities District. Both utilities want to minimize person-to-person contact and the risk of the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

For this reason, the utilities are closing their joint customer service office at Energy Plaza, 444 South 16^th Street (Omaha), beginning today, until further notice. OPPD’s rural offices are closed, as well.

This move was not made lightly. We greatly value being able to interact with our customers face-to-face. However, the safety of our customers and employees must take precedence at this time. A healthy workforce will enable us to keep reliable power and clean tap water flowing.

Bill payment

OPPD offers alternative payment methods. These include making payments online, via the OPPDConnect app, or by calling 402-536-4131 in the Omaha area or 1-877-536-4131.

M.U.D. also offers a variety of payment options. These include making online payments via MyAccount, or by calling 402-554-6666 (toll-free 1-800-732-5864) and using the automated system.

Another option for customers who typically make cash payments is to mail a cashier’s check to the utility or drop off at our joint payment drop box.

Suspension of disconnections

Both utilities have also announced the suspension of disconnections due to non-payment. OPPD’s moratorium will be in effect through April 30, at which point they will re-evaluate the moratorium. The district wants to ensure customers have electricity now, when they need it most, with more people working from home and caring for children who are out of school.

M.U.D. will not disconnect water services due to non-payment until further notice. This is to ensure customers have access to tap water for drinking, cooking and thorough hygiene practices such as hand washing, bathing and cleaning.

Both utilities urge customers to reach out if they have questions or need financial assistance. Customer care representatives will work to get you connected with the proper resources.

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OPPD’s Mission: Provide affordable, reliable and environmentally sensitive energy services to our customers

M.U.D.’s Mission: Provide safe, reliable and cost-effective natural gas and water services to our community.

"It Happened in Springfield History"

Mail horse

Rural Mail Carrier, Lester Ball delivering with his horse and buggy

Mail Car

Lester Ball and his Model T and a load of mail.

Mail Mud

The Model T stuck in the mud on the western roads.

Old Henry and a neighboring farmer giving Mr. Ball a helping hand.

RURAL MAIL CARRIER DELIVERED THE MAIL

Lester Ball was the Springfield area rural mail carrier. He first delivered mail with his horse and buggy. Later Mr. Ball purchased a Model “T” Ford. Lester Ball and his family lived in the house located at 360 Main Street.

www.gpsold.com

Liebentritt Family Dentistry
Office Temporarily Closed

As our community copes with the fast-moving spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus we hope you and yours are in good health during these stressful times.

Public officials have asked businesses to close down for a limited time while a local quarantine begins. Any patients with appointments that have to be cancelled will be notified by our team shortly.

When we are given the green-light to renew business operations we will update you. We thank you for your patience during this interruption and hope to see you when we re-open, happy and healthy.

Please contact us at 402-253-2868 if you have any questions and we will respond back as quickly as we can.

Liebentritt Family Dentistry

Schramm Park Update

NEST 529 Supports “Big Dreams” With $40K Giveaway

Eight Young Winners to Each Receive a

$5,000 NEST 529 Account Contribution

Lincoln, Neb. (January 2, 2020)— Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante and First National Bank of Omaha today announced the NEST 529 Big Dreams $40K Giveaway. Open nationwide to children 10 years old or younger, eight randomly selected winners will each receive a $5,000 NEST 529 College Savings Plan account contribution. Entries can be submitted online or by mail from January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020.

For full details and to enter the giveaway, visit NEST529.com/BigDreamsGiveaway. More information is also available at NEST529.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov.

Take a Break from the News!

Watching too much Coronavirus news can cause anxiety and depression. Turn off the television!

Go outside and enjoy nature

Spend time with family and friends

Finally... get those needed jobs around the house done

Exercise

Be creative: draw, paint, or color pictures

Play board or online games

Do a puzzle

Organize your closets and drawers (throw away all that junk!)

Learn something new (YouTube videos have lessons)

Take an online class

Look at old photos or organize those photos

Clean up your devices: computer, tablet, phone

Read

Listen to music

Dance!!!

“Father of Traffic Safety” William Eno invented the stop sign, crosswalk, traffic circle, one-way street, and taxi stand—but never learned how to drive.

Joke of the Week

* Ed: The same bike tries to run me down every day.
* Fred: Sounds like a vicious cycle.

Springfield Twitter 001

HAPPENING NEARBY

Student of the Week1

MESSAGE FROM LOUISVILLE CARE CENTER

Due to the impending threat of COVID – 19 (the new coronavirus) in our area, Louisville Care Center is restricting all visitors. Under extenuating circumstances we may allow for immediate family members. Routine social visits are discouraged. We assure you, we are being proactive and using caution to keep our residents safe.

2020 03 17 MRY MCC postponed dinner 1

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~Act as what you do makes a difference. It does!

-William James

Thanks to all Springfield E-Newsletter readers.

Connie Manzer

PLEASE HELP THE EDITOR

Help make the newsletter better! Your news is needed for the Springfield electronic newsletter. Post school, organizational, and sporting events. Send photos and fliers. Birthday and anniversary announcements are welcome. Get the word out to everyone in Springfield and beyond. Please have your info in by Monday 10pm. Contact me at: 253 -2015 (leave a message) or email all news and photos to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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