Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3606, VFW Post 131, VFW Post 7722, VFW Post 10617 and American Legion Post 3 conducted their annual Memorial Day service to render military honors to the veterans buried at Grasshopper Hill. Names of the veterans buried there were read aloud, followed by a 21-gun salute and a performance of taps in remembrance.

Grasshopper Hill is a historical cemetery sitting on the Nebraska State Penitentiary grounds and is maintained by incarcerated individuals and NDCS staff. This hill became the resting grounds of incarcerated individuals unclaimed by family and friends between 1874-1960...Read more

Corporal Anthony Judd, of the McCook Work Ethic Camp, recently organized and led The Gladiator Combine. This physical competition consists of various exercises such as Cable Chest Press, 40 Meter Dash, Max Rep Chin Up, V-Sit Reach, 20 Yard Shuttle Run and the Long Jump.

Each category tests different variables of an athlete. Scoring is based against each individual's weight. The end score gives the individual an idea of how athletic they are and what they can do to improve.

Corporal Judd states that he creates these competitions so the participants can get confirmation of their hard work and he likes that each...Read more

Bradley Schernikau received the 2019 Excellence in Mentoring award with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). He’s been with NDCS for 13 years as a Canteen Supervisor.

“It’s nice to be recognized and it’s humbling,” said Schernikau. “It’s nice to be recognized by your peers.”

Schernikau was nominated for his positive and professional attitude and passes that onto new hires through giving them an excellent learning environment as an instructor and mentor. He’s able to adapt his training to each new teammate’s learning style. He acts as a role model as he did not call in sick during the entire...Read more