Commissioners sign Homeland Security grant paperwork

Red Willow County commissioners signed paperwork Monday morning to finalize the county's 2004 national Homeland Security grant.

The $32,048 grant will be used to purchase emergency equipment and pay for training and exercises for the Red Willow Western Rural Fire Department.

Commissioners also signed a disaster declaration seeking funding assistance for recovery from a strong wind and rain storm May 29.

Residents with losses of more than $1,000 are required to contact County Sheriff Gene Mahon's office with documentation, and Mahon will report the losses to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency in Lincoln. Contact Mahon's office at (308) 345-1850.

Commissioner Steve Downer of rural Bartley said the high winds that night damaged his pivot irrigation system and tore the roof off a storage shed.