Generator — Spring 2022

GENERA OR
a publication of Loup Power District SPRING 2022
CPR + FIRST AID
• Granddaughter jumps to action with CPR
• Employees save lives with first aid

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Alan Drozd
Chairman
Steve Heesacker
First Vice Chairman
Robert Cerv
Second Vice Chairman
Jim Donoghue
Secretary
Dick Tooley
Treasurer
Rich Aerni
Mike Fleming
Ross Knott
Chris Langemeier
Larry Zach
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Neal Suess
President/CEO
Walt Williams
Vice President,
Accounting & Finance/CFO
Todd Duren
Vice President,
Corporate Services
Korey Hobza
Vice President, Engineering
Dan Hellbusch
Vice President, Operations
The Loup Generator is
published quarterly
as a service for Loup
employees, families,
friends, and associates.
For feedback, story ideas
and submissions, contact:
Stacy Wemhoff
Communications Coordinator
402-562-5711
swemhoff@loup.com
• Buy Nebraska Shopping
Experience ($100 gift card)
• Family passes to Pioneer Village,
the Hastings Kool-Aid Museum,
The Archway, and Edgerton Explorit
Center
• Niobrara River float trip for four
• Two-night stay at Chadron State
Park and a visit to Carhenge
Nebraska is the only state in the nation that is
100% publicly powered.
In other words, we’re the only state where every customer
receives electric service from a local, publicly owned utility.
Now, while others might consider this an odd thing to brag
about, we all should be proud of the benefits public power
brings to the quality of life here in Nebraska.
That’s why the state’s public power utilities are giving away
some Uniquely Nebraska Prizes.
To Win
• Bed & breakfast accommodations
to visit Ashfall Fossil Beds
• Family pass to the Henry Doorly
Zoo & Aquarium
• One-night stay on the riverboat in
historic Brownville
• Year’s worth of Runza sandwiches
($100 gift card)
• Uniquely Nebraskan T-shirts
Follow Loup’s Facebook page Comment, share, and tag friends on the “Uniquely
Nebraskan” campaign posts Be sure to use #NebraskaProud in the post.
Random winners will be drawn for the “Uniquely Nebraska” prizes and T-shirts. Winners will be
contacted for instructions on how to claim prizes that be awarded by the winner’s local public
power utility.
visit publicpowered.com for another chance to win
and learn about the benefits of public power.
Contest is open to customers served by Nebraska Public Power District and its wholesale utility customers.
2 | GENERATOR

pReSIDeNT’S MessAGe
Public Power systems work
for customers & communities
Nebraska is a 100 percent public power state,
which makes it unique within the United States.
Let’s take a second to explore what this means.
First, what is a public power system? Well,
this means the system is owned by its consumers,
or customers. The consumers elect the members
(Board of Directors, City Council, etc.) who
oversee the public power system. Those elected
officials are charged with developing the policies
of the entity, choosing the management, and
maintaining the overall fiscal management of the
public power utility. This includes developing
budgets and setting rates. The consumers can
select who they want to represent them as an
official; therefore, the consumer has control.
Additionally, public power systems are not-forprofit
entities. Any surplus that is made from year
to year goes back into rebuilding and repairing the
electric system. There are no shareholders looking
to make a profit on their investment. This is one of
the major reasons public power rates are generally
lower than those of other type of entities, such as
an investor-owned utility.
Public power systems can also range in size.
Just within our territory you have (1) a small
city-owned entity, the Schuyler Department
of Utilities; (2) two medium-sized utilities in
Cornhusker Public Power District and Loup Power
District, serving a four-county area; and (3) a large
statewide organization in Nebraska Public Power
District.
Public power systems work for the communities
we serve. In addition to running the electric
system, many of us sit on boards of a variety of
other government entities and on local volunteer
boards, such as Chamber of Commerce, schools,
YMCA, and others.
Additionally, we are better able to respond
quickly to outages and concerns because we have
offices in many of the communities we serve. Since
we live in these areas, we understand what is going
on and can be there to respond much faster than
an organization that might have to travel a long
way to provide service.
Now that you have a better idea of what a public
power system is, what makes Nebraska so unique?
As I said at the beginning, Nebraska is a 100
percent public power state. Now, almost all states
have public power systems (Hawaii is the only
state that does not). However, Nebraska is the only
state in which every electric customer is served by
a public power system.
This was established by the State of Nebraska
Legislature back in the 1930s, when many rural
consumers were not getting the service they
needed. The Legislature set up the system for an
all public power state, and that is the way things
stay today.
We are very excited to be a part of this system
and to bring you safe, reliable, low-cost electricity
for your needs. The Loup Power District Board of
Directors and employees are happy to serve you
and we look forward to continuing to do this in the
future.
NEAL SUESS
President/CEO
SPRING 2022 | 3

Dan Strong was mowing the lawn at his daughter’s
house in Iowa last May.
He and his wife, Janice, were in town for a Grandparents
Day program and he decided to help out with a
few chores before they headed home to Genoa.
After the lawn was finished, he offered to clean his
granddaughter’s car and check
it over before she went back to
college.
“I felt fine,” Dan said.
But within a few minutes, he
was fighting for his life — a life
that he owes to his granddaughter,
Hannah Tripp.
***
Hannah remembers hearing a
thud and running over to check on
Dan. She found him lying on the
ground, moving his arm.
“I thought he just broke his
wrist, but he wasn’t responsive,”
she said.
She yelled for Janice, asking
her to dial 911. Dan briefly came
around and said he didn’t need
an ambulance and got up to sit on a stool before
going pale. He started to fall and Hannah’s brother,
Garrison, caught him.
Hannah got on the phone and reported her assessment
to the 911 operator and asked if she should start
CPR. After an affirmative answer, the operator asked if
she should walk Hannah through the process.
Hanna told the operator she knew CPR — she
had completed her CPR recertification a few months
earlier.
When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics took
over CPR and began using an Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED).
“They had to shock me three times in order to bring
me back around,” Dan said. “I crashed again in the
ambulance and when I arrived at the ICU.”
***
Dan was stabilized at a critical care hospital where
his daughter, Brandy, worked. Then he was transferred
still going
STRONG
GRANDDAUGHTER SAVES GRANDPA’S LIFE WITH CPR
“
They had to shock me
three times in order to
bring me back around.
I crashed again in the
ambulance and when I
arrived at the ICU.
to a larger hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. Initially, the
doctors thought he had a heart attack, but there was
no blockage.
“My heart just got out of rhythm and it just shut
down,” Dan said.
He had a cardiac arrest. The condition usually
results from a problem with the
heart’s electrical system, which
disrupts the heart’s pumping
action and stops blood flow to the
body.
Dan had a pacemaker and
defibrillator implanted in his chest
while in the hospital. The device
tracks the heart rate and delivers
an electric shock to restore normal
heartbeat if it detects a life-threatening
arrhythmia.
He spent a week in intensive
care and a week in the heart unit
at the hospital. That was followed
by a week in a rehab center and
a week living with his daughter
before he was cleared to travel back
home.
He was also given a list of things he should not do.
On that list were welding and using a grinder.
During those weeks of recovery, Dan considered
how these new precautions would affect his job at
Loup Power District’s Genoa Headworks.
“I wasn’t going to ask someone else to do my job,”
he said. “So, I decided that I would retire.”
***
Dan’s career with Loup Power District began in
1986 following layoffs at Lindsay Manufacturing.
He was looking for a new job and heard there was
an opening at the Genoa Headworks. He got the job as
a Maintenance Man and it soon became evident that
he had the technical skills for the job.
At the time, most major repairs to Headworks
equipment made their way to mechanics at the
Columbus Service Center. Dan showed he could
handle most of those jobs, helping him earn a
promotion to Maintenance Technician in 1988.
4 | GENERATOR

Strong helped repair the Genoa Headworks following
a 2019 storm that caused canal breaches and flooding.
RED CROSS AWARD
Dan Strong’s granddaughter, Hannah Tripp, received an award from the
American Red Cross for her lifesaving actions following his cardiac arrest.
Dan said he developed a daily routine over his 35
years at the District. He is grateful that he had supervisors
who understood that he would complete his
required tasks without a lot of supervision.
The best part of the job was getting to work with a
great bunch of coworkers.
He is grateful for the opportunity to work for Loup.
“I couldn’t ask for a better company to work for,” he
said.
***
Retirement is always a big change, but Dan has
plenty of projects on his agenda.
“There’s plenty to do on the acreage,” he said.
He and his wife both enjoy working on their garden
at their home north of Genoa. They would like to
travel. Nashville is on their destination list.
Dan also does some mechanic work like tune-ups,
brake jobs and other service work for clientele he’s
had for years.
“They’re good, loyal customers,” he said. “I’m
thankful for that, too.”
The most important thing on his list is spending
time with his five grandchildren.
Hannah has since graduated from Central College
in Pella, Iowa, with a degree in Exercise Science. She
first earned her CPR certification as a freshman.
She realized that certification was about to expire
and classes were free at college. So she took classes
for recertification in late 2020, never imagining that
the skills she learned would help save the life of her
grandfather a few months later.
Both Dan and Hannah hesitate to think what the
outcome could have been. Hannah knows how
important CPR skills are and encourages everyone to
take classes. Dan is grateful she was there that day.
“I am fortunate everything worked out and the
Almighty was taking care of me,” he said.
SPRING 2022 | 5

LIFE
SAVERS
Heart attacks. Choking. Accidents.
Loup Power District provides CPR, AED, and First Aid
classes for employees every two years. They are taught to
prepare for the unexpected. These employees used those
skills to save the lives of family and strangers.
• RON CHRISTO
Cedar Rapids Local Superintendent
It’s been 30 years, but Ron Christo can still
remember the sound of the garage door motor as it
tried to close.
He can still remember the horrifying realization
that it was grinding because his toddler was stuck
under it.
“She was trapped face down,” he said. “The
door was across the back of her neck,” he said.
Christo hit the stop button twice — once to stop
the door and once to open it. He rolled her over and
there was no response.
“She was dead,” he said.
***
Christo started his career at Loup Power District
in 1985 and attended regular CPR and first aid
training sessions as required.
He never thought he would need to jump into action to help anyone —
especially not one of his own kids.
Melissa, the toddler, was running in and out of the garage that day. He
didn’t think twice about hitting the button to close the garage door. He never
knew the safety mechanism was broken.
But when he rolled her over and saw that she wasn’t breathing, he reacted
with a combination of instinct and training.
“I knew I had to do something,” Christo said.
He started CPR and wondered if he was doing it right because it didn’t
seem like the air was getting into the lungs.
But he kept at it until he could hear the air coming back out of the lungs.
“It’s just like in CPR training when they tell you it sounds like air leaving a
balloon,” Christo said. “That’s exactly what it sounded like.”
Even with that positive sign, Melissa did not respond.
“I remember shaking her and screaming at her at the top of my lungs,” he
said. “Then she gasped for air.”
Melissa was alive and breathing when the ambulance arrived. She stayed
at Children’s Hospital in Omaha for a couple of days and fully recovered.
Christo knows there could have been another outcome.
“My daughter would have died if I didn’t know CPR,” he said.
• FOR MORE INFORMATION
Don’t wait for an emergency to happen to prepare. Now is the time to gather
essential supplies, learn self-help skills, and build the self-confidence you
need to respond quickly and constructively in a crisis.
Learn more at the CDC’s website: bit.ly/CDCaction
• TIM RAMAEKERS
Dist. Substation Meter
Maintenance Superintendent
Tim Ramaekers
and his wife, Michelle,
were out for an anniversary
dinner when
they heard coughing.
The victim was out
of sight, but Michelle
urged him to check
on her and see if she
needed help. He went
around the corner and
saw an elderly couple.
The woman was in
obvious distress.
“She was giving
the universal sign of
choking with her hands around her neck,” he
said.
Ramaekers asked if he could help since he
knew the Heimlich Maneuver and first aid. The
victim’s husband urged him to help.
“I did the Heimlich maneuver a couple of
times and nothing happened and she was
starting to pass out,” Ramaekers said.
He knew he had to use more force. “I was a
little scared and apprehensive at first,” he said.
“But I realized she was in danger of dying.”
And with that decision, he dislodged a piece
of meat that was choking her.
“She was able to breathe right away and all
the life came back into her,” he said. “It was
incredible.”
The woman took a few minutes to regain her
composure and then hugged him.
“She was so thankful . . . It was pretty
moving,” Ramaekers said.
The couple came over to offer their gratitude
once more before leaving the restaurant that
night.
Ramaekers said the experience proves the
importance of first aid training — you never know
when you’ll need to jump to action to save a life.
“I didn’t expect to give the Heimlich maneuver
in a restaurant to someone I didn’t know,” he
said.
6 | GENERATOR

• SCOTT SOKOL
Albion Division Superintendent
“Heart attack! Heart attack!”
Scott Sokol will never forget
hearing the panic-filled yells as he
was out shopping.
But it didn’t take long for him to
respond with help.
“You go into auto pilot,” he said.
***
Sokol was in Omaha shopping
with his family when he heard those
words. He ran over to find a man on
the floor.
“You could look at him and tell he
wasn’t breathing,” Sokol said. “His
pupils were fixed and dilated.”
He checked for a pulse and followed the ABCs — airway,
breathing, and circulation.
Then two store employees ran over with an AED (automated
external defibrillator). Together, they opened his shirt,
followed the AED prompts, and shocked the victim.
“We shocked him one time and he was back among the
living.”
Within a couple of minutes, an ambulance arrived and the
EMTs put him on oxygen. He was breathing.
Sokol, a former EMT and current fire department volunteer,
said it’s important to know basic first aid.
A lot of people are scared to jump in and help in an emergency,
but knowing the basics can help alleviate that fear.
“It’s good to know these things.”
• RICK PRATER
Supervisor of Safety & Training
Rick Prater was working outside
when he heard his wife screaming.
“She ran to me carrying my
daughter,” he said.
Brianna was 2 or 3 at the time.
Her face was red and she was
choking.
He looked in her mouth and
couldn’t see any obstruction. She
was small enough that he was able
to hold her on his forearm and he
gave her five back blows.
She quit coughing and was about
to pass out. After another round of
blows, he checked her mouth again
and could see coins obstructing her
airway.
Prater knew it was risky to reach in her throat, but he also
had to act quickly before she lost consciousness. He followed
his instincts and reached in Brianna’s throat to sweep out the
coins — a dime and a nickel.
She spit up and started coughing and breathing again.
“It was pretty nerve-racking,” he said.
• JARED HOEFELMAN
Journeyman Lineman
Jared Hoefelman and his wife,
Molly, were visiting with a family
member one evening.
His relative admitted that he
wasn’t feeling very well — his chest
was tight.
Hoefelman was immediately
concerned.
“I had just taken the CPR and first
aid training about two weeks before,”
he said.
So, Hoefelman asked for
additional symptoms and questioned
if his jaw or shoulders were tight.
The relative responded that his
jaw and shoulders were hurting.
Hoefelman told him these were sure signs of a heart attack.
The relative laughed it off initially, saying he’d go to the
hospital in the morning if he still felt bad.
But Hoefelman insisted that they should go to the hospital
and won out after about 10 minutes of convincing.
On the way to the hospital, the relative admitted that it was
probably a good idea because he was starting to feel worse.
An EKG at the hospital confirmed he was having a heart
attack. An artery was blocked and he was flown to Omaha that
night for surgery.
Hoefelman’s relative is thankful that they happened to visit
that night.
“A lot of people go to sleep and don’t wake up,” Hoefelman
said. “It was a close call.”
Hoefelman said he knew the general signs of a heart attack
before working for Loup Power District, but would have never
known the extra details he learned at the course offered to
employees by Loup.
“I think the CPR and first aid course is a great benefit,”
he said.
HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint
HEART DISEASE FACTS
• In the United States, someone has a heart attack
every 40 seconds.
• Every year, about 805,000 people in the United
States have a heart attack.
• About 1 in 5 heart attacks is silent—the damage is
done, but the person is not aware of it.
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men
and women in the United States.
— Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
SPRING 2022 | 7

you’ve got
friends in
HIGH
PLACES
8 | GENERATOR
Kyle AINSWORTH
Roy BABB
Adam BABL
Mike BRABEC
Paul BURBACH
Ron CHRISTO
Jacob CZARNICK
Chase DAVIS
Tony DUBAS
Dale GASPER
Brian HERMAN
Jared HOEFELMAN
Joe HUBENKA
Guy IMUS
Tyler KLAAHSEN
Cam KNOPIK
Trent KONWINSKI
Michael LANGE
Alvin MEYER
Dave MEYER
Connor NEAL
Tim NOVICKI
Sage PENNY
Dan QUINN
Brandon RAMAEKERS
Beau SCHOMMER
Dave SHANNO
Josh SIEBRANDT
Scott SOKOL
Andy WALLIN
Tommy WEMHOFF
Tom WOOD
Andy YRKOSKI
Dominic ZOUCHA

You’ve probably noticed Loup’s crews out and
about, working on power lines and other electrical
equipment in our communities. It’s no secret that a
lineworker’s job is tough — but it’s an essential job
that is often completed in challenging conditions.
APRIL 11
LINEWORKER
APPRECIATION DAY
The work can be heavy in more ways than one. Did
you know the equipment and tools that a lineworker
carries while climbing a utility pole can weigh up to
50 pounds? That’s the same as carrying six gallons of
water. And the poles range from 30 to 120 feet tall.
Lineworkers must be committed to their career —
because it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. The long
hours and ever-present danger can truly take a toll.
Linework consistently makes the annual list of most
dangerous jobs compiled by the U.S. Department
of Labor. Potential perils include heat exhaustion,
electrocution, falls, fire, and lightning.
Lineworkers often work non-traditional hours outdoors
in difficult conditions. The job requires technical skills,
years of training, and hands-on learning. Generally,
it takes about five years to advance from a lineman
to a journeyman lineman. That’s because working
with high-voltage equipment requires specialized
skills, experience, and an ongoing mental toughness.
Shortcuts are not an option, and there is no room for
error in this line of work.
Despite the many challenges, Loup’s lineworkers are
committed to powering our communities. During severe
weather events that bring major power outages, they
are among the first called. They must be ready to leave
the comfort of their homes and families unexpectedly,
and they don’t return home until the job is done. That’s
why lineworkers’ families are also dedicated to service.
Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric
lineworkers. Here at Loup, we have 35 lineworkers who
are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365
days a year. To do this, they maintain 865 miles of power
lines across 2,248 square miles.
But there is much more to their jobs than climbing utility
poles to repair wire. Today’s lineworkers are information
experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles
away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets, drones, and
other technologies to map outages, survey damage,
and troubleshoot problems.
Without the exceptional dedication and commitment
of these hardworking employees, we simply would not
have the reliable electricity that we need for everyday life.
SO, THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE A LINEWORKER,
PLEASE THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY DO.
LINEWORKERS ARE THE POWER BEHIND YOUR
POWER.
Lineworkers climb poles
that are up to 120 feet tall
Their equipment weighs
up to 50 pounds
Loup’s lineworkers maintain
865 miles of line across 2,248
square miles
SPRING 2022 | 9

:
IS
YOUR WORKSHOP
SAFE?
Without taking proper precautions, the
enjoyment of a do-it-yourself project can
quickly turn into disaster. You may have all
the latest power tools, hand tools, hardware,
and materials, but if you do not put
safety first, you may end up with a trip to the
hospital and an unfinished project.
Here are some fundamental workshop
and electrical safety tips to help keep things
running smoothly.
WEAR SAFETY GEAR, GLASSES, & GLOVES
The first rule of workshop safety is to
dress appropriately. Avoid loose clothing
that can get caught in power tools. Never
wear dangling jewelry or scarves. Roll
up your sleeves or choose ones that are
tight against your skin. Closed-toe shoes
are a must, and steel-toed boots are
recommended.
Safety glasses are necessary 100 percent
of the time. Gloves are fine for handling
materials. Before you reach for a belt sander
or scroll saw, however, take the gloves off to
minimize the risk of them getting caught.
This will also ensure you get tactile feedback
in case anything goes wrong.
OBSERVE ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Before you start any DIY project, inspect
all your power tools and their cords for
loose plugs, exposed wires, or worn insulation.
Fires are one of the top dangers when
working with electric gear, especially if you
have combustible materials around, such as
sawdust.
If you must use an extension cord,
choose one long, heavy-duty (appropriately
rated) cord and keep it untangled and out
of the way to prevent tripping and yanking
your tools off the workbench. When you are
done working, unplug everything from the
extension cord and put it away.
KEEP YOUR WORKSHOP CLEAN
Anything left on the floor is a tripping
hazard — imagine what could happen if
you trip while using a power tool. Anything
cluttering up your worktable introduces
obstacles that can get caught in a saw or drill
mechanism or block your ability to move
your project safely as you work on it. The
byproducts of do-it-yourself work (such as
sawdust, cast-off nails and screws, and rags
or brushes with potentially combustible or
hazardous fluids on them) increase the risk
of fires and projectiles.
KEEP TOOLS IN GOOD CONDITION
Your job will be much easier with clean,
sharp, and well-lubricated tools. A dull saw
blade brings a much higher chance of injury
than a sharp one. It is less likely to
cut smoothly through the wood or other
material and more likely to kick back and
cut you. Dull saws, routers or drill bits also
run the risk of breaking during use.
Use appropriate lubrication, such as
WD-40 or others specifically created for
power tools.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
If you have a lot of experience as a do-ityourselfer,
there are projects you can tackle
from memory. However, approach anything
new as if you are a beginner for maximum
workshop safety. Read instructions. Look up
reputable guide videos to refresh your skills
or learn something new.
Most importantly, recognize when
you are in over your head and leave those
non-DIY projects to the professionals.
Make these tips standard practice in your workshop
Inspect tools for
damage before
using them
Inspect cords
and plugs for signs
of wear
Use heavy-duty,
properly rated
extension cords
Keep floors as
clean and dry
as possible
Ensure cords
do not pose
a tripping hazard
Use a clamp
or vice to secure
your project
10 | GENERATOR
Use the right tool
for the job
Wear proper
clothing; avoid
loose clothing
and jewelry
Use outlets with
GFCIs (Ground
Fault Circuit
Interrupters)
Make sure you
have enough light
to work safely

Loup renews
community
memberships
Loup Power District renewed its membership
in Community Clubs and Chambers
of Commerce in towns throughout its
service area. Checks totaling $30,179
were presented to communities in Boone,
Colfax, Nance, Platte, and Madison counties.
Payment amounts are based on the
2021 gross revenues in each community.
“Membership renewal demonstrates Loup
Power District’s commitment to community
involvement in all of our area towns,”
said Todd Duren, Vice President of Corporate
Services for Loup Power District.
Columbus Area Chamber $21,243
Albion Chamber of Commerce $1,486
Lindsay Community Club $1,451
Fullerton Chamber $1,093
Genoa Chamber of Commerce $733
Humphrey Community Club $660
Howells Community Club $575
Clarkson Community Club $564
Newman Grove Community Club $543
St. Edward Community Club $541
Cedar Rapids Community Club $488
Petersburg Community Club $292
Leigh Community Club $410
Primrose Community Club $100
More than $2M to counties
Loup Power District delivered its inside
revenue payments and the second half of
the in-lieu-of-tax payment to the counties
it serves.
This is a benefit of being served by a
locally controlled, not-for-profit utility.
Like other businesses, Loup Power District
pays sales tax, gasoline taxes, motor
vehicle license fees, and permit fees.
The in-lieu-of-tax payments are made to
service area counties in lieu of occupation,
personal property, and real estate
taxes. County treasurers will distribute the
funds to the various taxing bodies in each
county.
Platte — $ 9,713.77
Boone — $5,078.34
Nance — $ 6,445.84
Colfax — $240.48
Madison — $359.27
Total — $ 21,837.70
The District is also required to make
additional payments to the counties to
guarantee they receive 5 percent of the
inside revenues from the various towns
in their areas subject to the in-lieu-of-tax
payments.
Madison — $35,417.07
Platte — $1,641,628.92
Nance — $123,549.88
Colfax — $108,337.06
Boone — $185,799.17
Total — $2,094,732.10
LEASE
PAYMENTS
TOTAL $1.2M
Loup Power District officials presented lease
payment checks totaling more than $1.2
million to area communities.
Each of these communities owns their
electric distribution systems. These
payments compensate them for the use of
those systems for the fourth quarter of 2021.
Communities use the funds for a variety of
public projects.
Columbus $905,067.65
Platte Center $8,486.56
Monroe $10,808.18
Tarnov $1,204.59
Creston $4,840.20
Humphrey $20,323.13
Lindsay $51,326.72
Cornlea $1,640.33
Newman Grove $17,177.65
Duncan $15,441.82
Fullerton $27,380.05
Genoa $20,197.70
Belgrade $3,057.83
Richland $2,663.49
Howells $17,392.70
Leigh $14,103.12
Clarkson $16,644.48
Albion $39,760.95
Primrose $1,643.17
Petersburg $9,687.97
St. Edward $18,136.80
Cedar Rapids* $29,716.92
* Second half of 2021.
SPRING 2022 | 11

POLE REPAIR
A bad insulator caused the top of a
pole to burn and break off behind
Gehring Construction in Columbus.
It was propped up with a truck until
it could be fixed a couple of days
later.
The new pole had to be placed in
the exact location as the old so all
the underground primary conduit
would reach.
Fixing these poles takes a lot more
time because of the conduit. The
crews use a special vacuum to suck
out the dirt around the old pole to
remove it. Then they enlarge the
hole and place the new pole.
LAKEVIEW ROAD PROJECT
Crews rebuilt two miles of line on Lakeview Road
from Highway 81 to the canal bridge to ensure
continued reliability for our customers. The new
line has inverted construction with the neutral on
top for added protection against lightning strikes
and therefore fewer outages. Rebuilding this
older line will also prevent outages due to old
poles and weak conductor ties.
oUND THe DIstRICt
The new line is being built on the opposite side
of the road because there are fewer obstacles.
Photos by Mike Brabec.
12 | GENERATOR

DEWINE MECHANICAL SAFETY PRESENTATION
DeWine Mechanical of Columbus invited Loup to give an electrical safety
demonstration for their employees in January. Rick Prater and Kyle Ainsworth
stressed the importance of safety and awareness around power lines and
electricity. They also offered tips for staying safe in emergency situations.
Loup offers electrical safety demonstrations for businesses and fire and
rescue squads in our service territory.
LINE REBUILD
SOUTH OF ALBION
Crews from the Albion
and Fullerton Divisions
rebuilt 1.7 miles of 34.5kV
line and the underbuild
south of Albion.
They worked on the
project intermittently
this year, stopping during
the irrigation and crop
seasons.
Photos by
Scott Sokol.
SPRING 2022 | 13

employee notes
NEIL KORUS
Chief Mechanic
Neil Korus marked
30 years at Loup
shortly before his
retirement in March.
Korus joined Loup in
1992 as a Mechanic-
Welder at the
Columbus Service
Center. His job title
changed to Automotive/Equipment
Mechanic in 2010.
He was promoted to
Chief Mechanic in 2011.
Korus was responsible for the scheduling,
maintenance, and repair of all
District vehicles, heavy and light equipment,
hydraulic equipment, and other
tools and equipment used throughout
the District.
Korus is a graduate of Genoa High
School and earned an Associate of
Applied Science Degree in Diesel
Technology from Northeast Community
College in Norfolk.
TRENT CRUMLEY
Heavy Equipment Operator
Crumley joined Loup Power District in
2017 as the District’s
Maintenance Man
for the Hydro
Department based
out of the Columbus
Service Center.
In 2018, he was
promoted to Equipment
Operator and
was named Heavy
Equipment Operator
in 2020.
Crumley is part of
the crew that maintains the District’s
canal system from Genoa to Columbus.
He operates the District’s heavy
equipment including draglines, loaders,
backhoes, and trucks. He also works at
the two powerhouses when needed,
helps build substations, and maintains
District parks and lakes.
He is a graduate of Monroe High
School. He and his wife, Shana, have
two sons, Dylan and Ethan.
14 | GENERATOR
RETIRED
5 YEARS
CHUCK McCUMBER
Engineering Supervisor
Chuck McCumber,
P.E., joined Loup in
2007 as the Engineering
Supervisor
at the Columbus
General Office.
His duties include
system design of
lines and substations.
He also evaluates
and purchases
equipment and 15 YEARS
systems in conjunction
with Loup’s load management and
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition) programs.
McCumber has an Associate of Applied
Science degree in Engineering from
Northwest Wyoming Community College,
a bachelor’s degree in Electrical
Engineering from the University of
Wyoming, and a master’s degree in
Engineering Management from the
University of Kansas. He earned his
Professional Engineering license in
2009.
McCumber and his wife, Sandy, are the
parents of two adult children: Jake and
Emily. They have two grandchildren.
BLANE KONWINSKI
Plant Operator
Blane Konwinski of
Silver Creek joined
Loup in 2017 as
a Plant Operator
at the Columbus
Powerhouse.
He is part of a team
of six Columbus
Powerhouse operators
who watch over
Loup’s hydroelectric
system. They monitor
and control the
5 YEARS
generation units at the powerhouses
in Columbus and Monroe. The operators
also work closely with the Genoa
Headworks Division to divert maximum
water from the Loup River into the
District’s canal system for power plant
generation.
Other duties include coordinating
generation with NPPD’s control center
in Doniphan, monitoring 115kV and
34.5 kV substations, and answering
customer service trouble calls.
Konwinski is a graduate of Twin River
High School. He earned an Associate
of Applied Science degree in Energy
Generation Operations from Southeast
Community College in Milford.
CLINT ALBRACHT
Drafting Technician
Clint Albracht of
Columbus joined
Loup Power District
as Drafting Technician
in 2021.
His duties include
revising distribution
and rural maps
using GIS mapping
software; assisting
with line and substation
projects; and
revising structural, mechanical,
and electrical technical design
drawings.
Albracht is a graduate of Lakeview High
School. He earned a degree in Mechanized
Systems Management from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
TIM RECEK
Equipment Operator
Tim Recek joined
Loup in 2017 as a
Utilityman based
out of the Columbus
Service Center. He
transferred to Maintenance
Man in 2019
and was promoted
to Equipment Operator
in 2020.
1 YEAR
5 YEARS
Recek operates
the District’s heavy
equipment and is part of the crew that
performs maintenance on the canal
system from Genoa to Columbus. He
also works at the two powerhouses
when needed, helps build substations,
and maintains District parks and lakes.
He and his wife, Brenda, have two
children: son, Dylan, and daughter,
Sydney.

JUSTIN M KOHL
Meter Relay & Equipment Technician
Justin Kohl has joined
Loup Power District as
Meter Relay and Equipment
Technician at
the Columbus Service
Center.
In this role, Kohl is a
member of the team
responsible for installation
and maintenance
of substation power
equipment.
WELCOME
He is also responsible for reading meters
and completing service orders.
Kohl is a native of Lincoln and a graduate
of Lincoln East High School. He received
his Associate Degree in Electrical Construction
and Control from Northeast
Community College. He previously
worked for Cornhusker Public Power
District.
He and his wife, Abbi, have two children —
Ella, 4, and Rhett, 5 months.
JOHN YRKOSKI
Meter Relay & Equipment Technician
John Yrkoski joined
Loup in 1987 as a
Maintenance Man
on the Columbus
Canal Crew.
He was promoted
to Equipment
Operator in 1991
and transferred to
Meter Reader at the
General Office the
following year.
RETIRED
In 2020, Yrkoski was promoted to Meter
Relay and Equipment Technician II at the
Columbus Service Center.
In that role, Yrkoski was a member of
the team responsible for installation and
maintenance of substation power equipment.
He was also responsible for reading
meters and service orders.
Yrkoski is a native of Fullerton and a
graduate of Clarks High School.
5 STEPS FOR
SAFE DIGGING
Working on an outdoor
project? Always call 8-1-1 first,
because you never know
what’s below.
Here are five easy steps
for safe digging:
1. NOTIFY
Call 8-1-1 or make a
request online two
to three days before
your work begins. The
operator will notify the utilities
affected by your project.
2. WAIT
Wait two to
three days for a 2-3
response to your
request. Affected utilities
will send a locator to mark
underground utility lines.
3. CONFIRM
Confirm that all affected
utilities have responded by
comparing the markers to
the list of utilities the 8-1-1
call center notified.
4. RESPECT
Respect
the markers
provided by the
affected utilities.
They are your guide for the
duration of your project.
STREET WORK IN COLUMBUS
The City of Columbus started a water and paving reconstruction project on 15th Street
in mid-March. The General Office drive-thru window is closed to vehicle traffic but the
window will remain open for customers who want to walk up. The project is expected
to be completed this summer. Photo by Sandi Meays.
5. DIG CAREFULLY
If you can’t avoid digging
near the markers
(within 18-24
inches on all
sides, depending on state
laws), consider moving your
project.
SPRING 2022 | 15

2404 15th Street | PO Box 988
Columbus, NE 68602-0988
Tree Planting
GUIDE
THINK BEFORE PLANTING!
Before you plant, look around
to see how the trees will affect
overhead utility lines. A good rule
of thumb is to plant trees at least as
far away from the utility lines as the
tree is expected to grow.
10' 20' 30' 40' 50' 60' 70'
STOP
NO TREE ZONE
No trees within
25' of power lines
CAUTION
SMALL TREE ZONE
Plant trees less than 25'
in height/spread
at least 25' from
power lines
CAUTION
MEDIUM TREE ZONE
Plant trees 25'–40' in
height/spread at least
40' from overhead
power lines
GO
LARGE TREE ZONE
Plant trees larger than 40'
in height/spread at least
60' from overhead
power lines