PINE RIDGE, SD. (AP) — A Pine Ridge man accused of using a baseball bat to beat another man to death after the two had argued has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison.

Thirty-one-year-old Antoine Bissonette Jr. was sentenced to 63 months behind bars to be followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson says restitution will be determined later.

Bissonette initially faced a second-degree murder charge in the Feb. 12 death of Daniel Bad Milk near Pine Ridge. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in May.

Mobius Communications Company/Radio Shack recently contributed $250 to Jane’s Closet using a unique way. The Mobius/Radio Facebook page had people “like” their page for Breast Cancer Awareness with $1.00 for every like going to Jane’s Closet.  At left is Jane’s Closet representative Lori Mazanec receiving the donation from the Mobius/Radio Shack team: Radio Shack manager Ray Hielscher, Mobius General Manager Tonya Mayer, and representatives Kim Eggers and Claudia Stark. Jane’s Closet helps those diagnosed with cancer and their families in a variety of ways. Area residents who may know of a family meeting that criterion can contact Ms. Mazanec at 308.762.4357, ext. 3428.

During the holiday shopping season, the Alliance Chamber always sees a  huge number of Chamber Bucks purchased not only by member businesses but  individuals to be used for Christmas gifts. What this means is that these dollars will be spent within the Alliance area and not go outside to other towns unless a  particular company happens to belong to the Alliance Chamber of Commerce.

The estimate on re-circulation of money once it is spent within a community is seven to nine times.

The options for people to spend them on nearly anything is phenomenal. Gas, food, jewelry, electronics, utility bills, and more can be purchased by using  Chamber Bucks.

“We as a community need to remember that for a city our size, we do have a pretty large selection of stores to shop in,” said chamber director Dixie Nelson. “We as consumers sometimes need to take the initiative by exploring our own resources. If a store doesn’t have an item, we can always ask the question “Do you know who might have this, or can you order it for me?”

These are the same stores that our children, non-profits, and other fund  raising entities always ask for donations at different times. These are also the  employers of our neighbors, our children or spouses. If we don’t shop in them, they may not be there the next time we need something they sell.

“Our larger employers have invested in our community this Christmas
season by purchasing locally with giving Chamber Bucks for employee gifts, Nelson added. “This is what helps our economy and keeps things alive and well along with the positive impact of individuals purchasing Chamber Bucks. Together we all make a difference!”

For information on Chamber Bucks or anything pertaining to the Alliance
area the Chamber can be contacted at: 308-762-1520 or 305 Box Butte.

Chadron State College has again been named one of the nation’s best institutions for military veterans seeking higher education.

For the third consecutive year, Military Times Edge magazine has placed CSC on its “Best for Vets” list of colleges and universities. CSC’s No. 11 ranking is its highest yet.

This year’s accolade follows rankings of 13 and 23 the past two years. Of the more than 650 colleges and universities that responded to the Military Times Edge 150-question survey, only CSC and two other Nebraska institutions were listed in the top 68.

“We are pleased to again be listed among the best colleges and universities for veterans,” said Dr. Randy Rhine, CSC’s former vice president for enrollment management and student services who is scheduled to become president in January after serving eight months as interim. “It says a lot for not only Chadron State College but also the surrounding area. We are proud to live in a community and region that is very military-friendly.”

Jon Hansen, CSC veteran and military enrollment coordinator, said the institution’s affordability, with low tuition and features such as free tutoring, make it stand out from other colleges and universities.

CSC gets high marks from the Military Times Edge survey for its veteran services office on the third floor of Crites Hall, where coordinator of veteran affairs Chris Singpiel and others are located.

CSC also gained points for having costs below the cap for the G.I. Bill’s Tuition Assistance program and for participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a federal initiative that pays tuition and fees for veterans attending public institutions. In addition, CSC accepts credits from the American Council on Education, a program that awards college credit based on military training and experience.

Adding to affordability and dedicated service, Hansen notes that CSC has four Veterans Affairs work-study students and the institution’s proximity to the VA hospital in Hot Springs, S.D. He also said Chadron has a low cost of living compared to most other college communities.

“We have a wide range of programs availableand we have one of the most liberal transfer policies,” Hansen said.

In recent years, Chadron State has placed a concerted focus on serving active military and veterans.

In the survey’s reporting year, 2011-2012, the CSC enrollment included 203 students with military affiliation. Hansen notes that the number has increased from 86 veterans and active military students in 2010 — the year Hansen, a retired U.S. Army officer, joined the CSC admissions staff to assist in recruiting students from military backgrounds.

“About half of our students are from the National Guard, whether it’s South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming or Colorado,” he said. “The other half is a combination of ROTC cadets, active duty from all the services or just straight-up veterans.”

Military Times Edge isn’t the only military media to take note of CSC. During the past three years, CSC also has been listed among G.I. Jobs magazine’s list of military-friendly schools. Only 15 percent of colleges and universities in the United States earn that designation.

—Justin Haag, CSC Information Services

Here is the Nebraska State Class B One Act Play competition schedule for Friday, December 7 at the Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney.

Merryman Performing Arts Center
225 West 22nd
Street, Kearney

All Times Central Standard

10:00 a.m. – Alliance “I’m Not Ebenezer Scrooge”

10:45 a.m. – Wayne “The Attempted Murder of Peggy Sweetwater”

11:30 a.m. – Omaha Concordia “The Message”

12:15 pm –  Milford “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”

1:00 p.m. – York “The Princess and the Pea”

1:45 p.m. – Gothenburg “Hiding in the Open”

Admission Price is $7.00 for adults, $5.00 for students

Residents of Box Butte and Grant Counties are asked to lend a hand to local FFA
Chapters in support of a statewide effort called “I Believe in the Future of Ag,” a
capital campaign for the Nebraska FFA Foundation.

“Box Butte County Farm Bureau is partnering with the FFA chapters at Alliance, Hemingford and Hyannis High Schools during this regional effort in December and  January,” said Box Butte County Farm Bureau President Mary Crawford of Alliance.

“Our board was asked by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, as one of
17 corporate sponsors, to say “I Believe in the Future of Ag” and the vibrant vo-ag education programs operating in our high schools,” Crawford said. “We are fortunate to have top-notch FFA and 4-H programs serving our area.

“Vocational agriculture is growing in Nebraska, including some school systems
such as Bridgeport Public Schools, which started an FFA program just this fall,”
Crawford said. “Now, there are 145 FFA chapters across the state.”

Agricultural-related businesses in Hemingford, Berea, Alliance, Ellsworth, Ashby, Hyannis and Whitman will be asked to assist with this effort by donating and sharing a “traveling” FFA display in their business over the next two months.

FFA chapters will receive 100% of their local donations, with enhanced gifts
from the Nebraska FFA Foundation. To donate, contact your local FFA chapter, watch for “I Believe in the Future of Ag” displays, call Crawford at (308) 762-4414 or go to www.neffafoundation.org

Crawford said earlier this year, Box Butte County Farm Bureau “emphasized its
belief in youth and the future of agriculture” by donating $5,000 to “Raise the
Roof” in support of FFA and 4-H’s new livestock barn at the Box Butte County Fair.