5th Annual TeamMates Golf  

Tournament A Success 

May 22, 2011 marked the 5^thAnnual TeamMates Golf Tournament.  Twenty-two teams came out to the Golf Course at Table Creek for a day of golfing for a great cause.  Golfers enjoyed a variety of "aids" to help their game from Mulligans, 10 Feet of String and buying drives.  The winning team of Dylan Heng, Matt Gress, Janelle Gress and Mark Marcotte posted a score of 51.  A number of prizes were awarded throughout the day and all who golfed enjoyed a great meal provided by Cargill and Table Creek.  A highlight of the day included the lemonade and snack stands along hole #5.  Alyson Barr, Zach Benton, Blair Benton, Marlea Wurtele and Morgan

Wurtele sold snacks and lemonade to golfers and donated the proceeds to the local TeamMates Program.  A total of $87 was donated from the youth.  Overall the tournament raised over $5,000 for Nebraska City Mentoring Program, all proceeds will stay local and will help guarantee that kids can continue to benefit from having a mentor. 

 
 A number of sponsors helped make this tournament a great success.  Corporate sponsor for the event was Cargill and Hole Sponsors included:  Borns Financial Planning, Nebraska City Chiropractic, Arbor Bank, American National Bank, Century 21, Schmitz Land Surveying, LeGrand Financial, VanderVeen and Goracke, CPA, Walgreens, Professional Mortgage Services, First Express Insurance-Todd Benton, Commercial State Bank, Tri State Pumping, Heartland Community Bank, Appearances, NC Medical Center and Miller Family Dentistry.

 LOCAL YOUTH ATTEND PROJECT EXTRA MILE'S ANNUAL YOUTH LEGISLATIVE DAY

Project Extra Mile's Annual Youth Legislative Day allows high school students to expand their understanding of state government and develop the knowledge, confidence and ability to discuss current issues facing youth in Nebraska.This year's event held at the Capital Building on Thursday, March 24^th was attended by eight students from the Syracuse High School STOP group and 3 students from the Nebraska City PRiDE group along with their sponsors Wendy Buchanan and Dawn Kelly Lu.    The morning began with an opening in which students heard from Mr. Marty Conboy, Omaha City Prosecutor and local state senators.  A lunch was served, and then students where able to watch the   Unicameral in action.  The day ended with the groups meeting with their representatives,  Lavon Heidemann (above) , and  Dave Pankonin (left).   The students where able to have a candid discussion about the issues facing them, ask their senator questions about the legislative process, and ask them to support legislation that would reduce underage drinking.  

Youth leaders participating in Youth Legislative Day 2011 from Syracuse High School were: Hope Jones, Danielle Palensky, Gina Smith, Blade Buchanan, Jermma Romine, Mitchell Wachter, and Alexis Casey.  Amanda Chapin, Spencer Radke, and Clay Radke represented Nebraska City High School.   

Parents - Be Alert to the New K-2

A new synthetic marijuana, with a catchy name, has replaced the now illegal K-2 in Nebraska.  

Drug prevention advocates are putting out the warning about Bokomo or Bokomo Dew.  Paul Carter, Executive Director of Pride Inc., says " it's another synthetic pot type product that is widely available.  I do know it's being used in the metro area. "  A quick check on the Internet and we easily found it, marketed out of Missouri.  We even found adults on YouTube urging people to smoke it.  

In addition, Pride Inc. is telling parents to be aware of something called Lazy Cakes or Downie Brownies. We found them for sale at a local exotic shop in Omaha.  They cost about eight dollars per brownie.  Experts say each brownie contains about 8 milligrams of the sleep supplement Melatonin, as well as, the calming herb, Valerian Root.  Carter warns "it will mellow you out.  It will put you to sleep and what happens if kids are also drinking or taking prescription pills.  If there's a combination you have a real problem. "

Parents were a bit surprised when we told them about these new products that are readily available.  Tina Life told us, " no, I've never heard of those drugs.  It is concerning. " Marissa Doss added, " wow, I've never heard of that before. "

Pride Inc is holding a meeting to inform parents of what's out there.  The forum is next Tuesday May 24 at 11:30 AM at the Gretna Schools Administration Building at 11717 South 216th Street.

Written and reported by Craig Nigrelli, cnigrelli@action3news.com  

We checked with local law enforcement to see if this new substance is showing up in Nebraska City and they have seen it.  One officer reported   

"We have also had some of our kids explain the effects and tell us it can make someone act crazy.  From local youth I have heard they would rather smoke weed then K2 but most have tried it, or know someone that has tried it.  One reason kids like it is because it is hard to test for so they are not getting caught smoking it."  Youth in small towns are not necessarily insulated from new drug trends.  Local officers indicate once stuff makes it to Lincoln or Omaha head shops it ends up in the hands of some Otoe County kids.