Todd von Kampen

North Platte

Special Projects Reporter at North Platte Telegraph

Articles

Farmers won, campers lost on rainy, chilly Memorial weekend

1 week ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

If you bet on May’s first summer holiday weekend being more like June than April, you lost. You won if you’re a western Nebraska farmer or rancher who got a full three-day Memorial Day weekend of plentiful rain ranging from 1 to 4 inches after months of drought.
Sustainable Beef to start production next week, Briggs says

1 week ago | starherald.com | Todd von Kampen

North Platte’s Sustainable Beef meatpacking plant plans to begin full processing of cattle Wednesday, says CEO and co-founder David Briggs. He said the decision followed a Tuesday “harvest line” test during which the sprawling plant on Golden Road fired up its production line after more than 2½ years of construction. “We received and harvested three animals all the way to the hot box, where the hot carcass is cooled,” Briggs said Friday.
After 25 years, North Platte's TIF use is rising again but still restrained

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

The outlines of a mixed relationship emerge from North Platte’s 25-year-long experience with using tax increment financing to spark economic growth. It started with a five-year burst, highlighted by the openings of the Walmart Distribution Center and Menards, after the city’s first TIF project to rehabilitate its 1965 Holiday Inn went “on the clock” in 1999.
North Platte planning panel to ponder sand processing near Platte forks

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

The North Platte Planning Commission Tuesday will discuss sand removal near the Platte River forks and a downtown gym’s plans for a new, larger location near Great Plains Health. The nine-member panel will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chamber, 211 W. Third St. The session may be viewed on Allo Communications channel 1 and the city’s YouTube channel. To access the online livestream, visit northplatte.gov/watch.
Sustainable Beef to start production next week, Briggs says

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

North Platte’s Sustainable Beef meatpacking plant plans to begin full processing of cattle Wednesday, says CEO and co-founder David Briggs. He said the decision followed a Tuesday “harvest line” test during which the sprawling plant on Golden Road fired up its production line after more than 2½ years of construction. “We received and harvested three animals all the way to the hot box, where the hot carcass is cooled,” Briggs said Friday.
Pillen line-item veto drama puts Lake Mac road work in doubt

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

Ogallala and Keith County leaders were feeling whiplash Thursday after Gov. Jim Pillen’s apparently unsuccessful try to strip away the state’s remaining “STAR WARS” funds for Lake McConaughy improvements. The governor late Wednesday announced a line-item veto of $18 million left for the lake from Nebraska’s next two-year budget, which already had reclaimed funds for a state-funded marina that won’t be built.
Western senators broker truce in Nebraska’s cattle-brand struggles

2 weeks ago | lexch.com | Todd von Kampen

An apparently grounded Unicameral cattle-brand bill advanced to a final vote Wednesday evening after three western Nebraska senators agreed on a package of incremental changes. Lawmakers agreed 37-0 to yet another rewrite of Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach’s Legislative Bill 646 before giving it second-round approval on a voice vote.
Western senators broker truce in Nebraska’s cattle-brand struggles

2 weeks ago | starherald.com | Todd von Kampen

An apparently grounded Unicameral cattle-brand bill advanced to a final vote Wednesday evening after three western Nebraska senators agreed on a package of incremental changes. Lawmakers agreed 37-0 to yet another rewrite of Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach’s Legislative Bill 646 before giving it second-round approval on a voice vote.
Western senators broker truce in Nebraska’s cattle-brand struggles

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

An apparently grounded Unicameral cattle-brand bill advanced to a final vote Wednesday evening after three western Nebraska senators agreed on a package of incremental changes. Lawmakers agreed 37-0 to yet another rewrite of Sumner Sen. Teresa Ibach’s Legislative Bill 646 before giving it second-round approval on a voice vote.
North Platte City Council grapples again with vacant property registration ordinance

2 weeks ago | nptelegraph.com | Todd von Kampen

Heated public comments and pictures of dilapidated homes and lots accompanied Tuesday’s second lengthy North Platte City Council debate on a proposed vacant property registration ordinance. Before it started, Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the council would take no vote on the measure but would receive input on revising it from the public and council members. About half a dozen residents took advantage during the 90-minute debate.

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