Marjie Ducey

1 week ago | journalstar.com | Marjie Ducey

It was a spring of science, magic and milestones during this year’s sandhill crane migration. The biggest moment came March 17 during the week-five aerial count when a record 736,000 birds were observed, obliterating the previous mark of 670,702 set in 2019. Overall this spring, 1.25 million birds were counted. Abraham Kanz, director of conservation research for the Crane Trust, said the huge influx was driven by weather and dry conditions to the south.

1 week ago | theindependent.com | Marjie Ducey

It was a spring of science, magic and milestones during this year’s sandhill crane migration. The biggest moment came March 17 during the week-five aerial count when a record 736,000 birds were observed, obliterating the previous mark of 670,702 set in 2019. Overall this spring, 1.25 million birds were counted. Abraham Kanz, director of conservation research for the Crane Trust, said the huge influx was driven by weather and dry conditions to the south.

2 weeks ago | nonpareilonline.com | Marjie Ducey

The 2025 Omaha Corgi Races are sprinting back into the metro area on May 10 at River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs. Fans of short legs and big personalities are invited to cheer on dozens of speedy (and some not-so-speedy) corgis as they race for glory and the prestigious title of Fastest Corgi in the Metro. Admission is free. Only registered dogs are allowed on site. Visit omahacorgicrew.com/races for the full event schedule and registration information.

2 weeks ago | kearneyhub.com | Marjie Ducey

Long past the age when others have retired, former educational psychologist Judith Puncochar has thrown herself into a new project. It’s not needlework or painting. She’s rewilding 152 acres of farmland in central Nebraska along the Middle Loup River in Howard County near St. Paul, an effort begun years ago by her father, Jim. Puncochar is doing the work herself at the age of 74. “I drive my own tractor, pull my own drill, fill it with seeds and drill the seeds myself,” she said.

2 weeks ago | kearneyhub.com | Marjie Ducey

Every night, Harrison Waschkowski used to insist that his parents read to him from his favorite book, “Storm of Spirit: A Child’s Story of Surviving and Sharing.”It’s about a family who survived a tornado, a tale that his parents knew almost by heart after so many requests from their oldest son. Harrison, now 7, thought it was both cool and a little frightening.