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Omaha Star
The
Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 83 - No. 18 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, September 3, 2021
75 cents
An Afternoon for Champions
New Era Baptist Convention of Nebraska Scholarships Awarded
Negil L. McPhearson, III Alexis Horton
Andra Williams, Jr
Lauren Harris
The New Era Baptist State Convention of Nebraska, under the leadership of Rev. Dwayne Hawkins, and Congress President, Rev. Kenneth Allen announced the 2020 and 2021 Scholarship recipients. The scholarships were awarded in April and in August, 2021 due to the schedule adjustments becuase of the pandemic. The 2020 Scholarship awardee is Negil L. McPherson, III, a frshman scholar at Kansas State University in Manhantan, Kansas completing his first year. Negil is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Negil L. Pherson, Jr. (Tracey) and is a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Rev. Cedric Perkins is the Pastor. Negil’s scholarship was awarded in April at the opening session of the New Era 2021 Congress of Christian Education at the Pleassant Green Baptist Church - Rev. Brian Page, Pastor. The 2021 Scholarship awardees are: Alexis L. Horton, a freshman scholar at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Alexis was the first place awardee; her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Alex Horton ( Rolanda) and they are members of Mt. Nebo Baptist church, the site of the presentation - Rev. T. Arvie, Pastor. The second place awardee is Andra Williams,Jr., son of Mr. Andra William, Sr. and is a freshman scholar at the University of Nebraska - Omaha. The Williams’ are members of Pilgrim Baptsit church where the scholarship was presented. The third place awardee is Lauren Harris, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Harris and members of Salem Baptist church - Rev. Selwyn Bachus, Pastor. Lauren is a freshman scholar at Princeton University in New Jersey. Three of the three scholarship awardees are majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers. Alexis Horton ‘s major is Mechanical Engineering; Andra and Lauren are Computer Science majors. Negil, III, is a Business-Marketing major. We congratulate and applaud all four of these scholars!! New Era Baptist State Convention of Nebraska is composed of twenty-six New Era Churches in Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln) and awards six-thousand dollars each year in scholarships to New ERA Church applicants. Applications can be accessed on line (New Era website); information is also available at each of the New Era Churches. For more information, contact Dr. Carol T. Mitchell, Scholarship Director at cstillwaters@aol.com or 402 708 2246.
Publisher’s Pen
Shriners Shine In Philadelphia, Pa Nobles of Omaha’s Zaha Temple #52, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.), Inc., and Daughters of Zaha Court #72, an Auxiliary of the AEAONMS, travelled to Philadelphia, PA for the 128th Annual Imperial Council Session and the 110th Annual Imperial Court Session National Conferences August 13 – 19, 2021. Though small in numbers, they left a large impression on the conference and showcased Omaha, NE at the national level were members travel from all over the USA and globally. The A.E.A.O.N.M.S. and its auxiliary organizations are committed supporters of the American Diabetes Association and St. Jude’s
Hospital. They have donated over $1 million dollars to these organizations and are committed to supporting HBCUs. On Monday August 16th, Daughter Cynthia Mitchell (Past Commandress) placed first in the Chanters competition making her the national soloist. She did it with a rousing rendition of “At This Moment”. This was Daughter Mitchell’s eighth time winning first place and has kept Omaha on the national map. EARLY in the morning (6:00AM) on Tuesday August 17th, Past Commandress Patricia Brown, the Imperial Deputy for the Desert of Omaha was greatly honored. She was exalted to the title of Shriners continued on page 3
Notice of OPPD Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Selection of Remedy Public Meeting North Omaha Station (NOS) Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 4 p.m. via Webex
OPPD is hosting a public meeting concerning the North Omaha Station (NOS) Ash Landfill and OPPD’s assessment of corrective measures for the landfill under the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rules. During the meeting, OPPD will discuss data compiled about the landfill and corrective measure options, and will present OPPD’s preferred option, which includes input and recommendations from the Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy. The public meeting will be held online September 22, 2021, at 4 p.m., via Webex. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about data OPPD has collected on the NOS Ash Landfill and provide input on
the preferred remedy. If you do not have internet access and would like to participate in the meeting by phone, please call +1 (844) 621-3956 at the appointed meeting time. When prompted, enter this access code: 177 242 3803 If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available following the meeting at www. OPPDCommunityConnect.com. The recording will be available through October 8, 2021, for public information and feedback. OPPD plans to publish the final selection of remedy 30-60 days following the public meeting. Learn more and register for the meeting at www.OPPDCommunityConnect. com.
Next Issue:
September 17, 2021 Information submission by September 10, 2021
The Champions of Change Luncheon, celebrating 20 years of North Omaha Area Health serving the community, will take place on Wednesday September 15, 2021 from 12pm 1:30pm. North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) Free Clinic has invited Douglas County Commissioner, Chris Rodgers Chris Rodgers, as the keynote speaker for the program. In addition to serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Rodgers also serves as the president of the Douglas County Board of Health. Improving local public health, addressing social determinants of health, and criminal justice reform are issues he’s highlighted. Commissioner Rodgers was re-elected to a fifth term in November 2020. In its 20th year, NOAH has grown their capacity to serve the public health needs of the community. With the support of family, friends, and generous donors NOAH has been able to execute its mission of providing care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Founder/Director Ira Combs, RN initiated the first Champion of Change award luncheon after receiving an award of the same name from President Barack Obama in 2015. Since then, NOAH has hosted this community program for local champions. Individuals and organizations are recognized for their impact on the cause of community health. This year’s luncheon will also recognize NOAH’s 20 years of service. The 2021 Champions of Change Luncheon will be held at the Scott Conference Center 6450 Pine St, Omaha, Nebraska. Individual guests and corporate supporters are encouraged to RSVP now by visiting www.noahclinic.org/ noah-events or by calling 402-933-0737 x1004 (Cheryl).
By Terri D. Sanders
MOVING FORWARD COVID-19 and the Delta Virus Variant seem to be around every corner. I was reminded that COVID-19, has never left. We just relaxed when mask wearing was not mandated by our state officials. Do not become a victim, masks UP, hands washed, and get your shot. Our prayers go out to the persons living in Louisiana and Mississippi who are sufferDotcom Studios ing the after effects of hurricane IDA, which occurred exactly sixteen years after the hurricane KATRINA. At one time I lived in New Orleans and to be there with no Air conditioning available is torture. Imagine no power, no phone service and contaminated water. Pray for the people in these areas because these conditions will persist until repairs are completed and authorities are saying that could take weeks. I have a pet peeve! I need help from the community. I need YOU to submit stories and articles. We like to have articles that are 500 words or less and also photos to accompany the article. We like to share news from the community. Help a sister out please. What is your church doing? What are your children doing in school? Did someone you know get a promotion? Got a family reunion? What activities is your organization having? We here at the Omaha Star appreciate ALL of our readers. You are the people that make our paper a success. In the months of October and September I encourage you to renew your subscriptions, no matter when it is due. In 2022, the price of the paper will increase to $50.00 per year. RENEW BEFORE ’22. Our Administrator Beryl Barnes would be happy to take you renewal and apply it to your subscription year. Please consider this for renewals in 2022. While COVID 19 had us in a slow period, we are gearing up to improve the Omaha Star. We would like to have regular contributors (columnists) to the paper. Do you have an idea? Let’s talk about your column. We will also be looking for photographers for the paper. We are looking to improve our publication. Remember we have print services at the Omaha Star. Call us for pricing. Send printing requests to: printing@omahastarinc.com. Until next time: Stay ready so you do not have to get ready!
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