How to...
Obtain a library card:
Stop by the Grand Island Public Library with one form of identification, preferably a driver’s license with your current address. If your license does not have your current address, please provide another verification of address. Fill out a library card application and you will receive your card immediately at no cost. Children 16 and older can sign up for their own card but anyone under that age must have a parent or legal guardian to verify the information for the person. For information, call the library at 385-5333.Register a boat:
Fill out the official application form obtainable from all county treasurers, county clerks, hunting and fishing permit vendors, boat dealers and Game and Parks Commission offices in Alliance, Bassett, Lincoln, North Platte and Omaha.Nebraska residents must mail or take the completed application and registration fee, according to class, to the county treasurer of their county of residence.
Fees vary according to boat sizes. Nonresidents may apply to any county treasurer in the state of Nebraska. Registration can also be completed online on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Web site at www.ngpc.state.ne.us.
Register to vote:
Eligible voters may register at the county election commissioner’s office, 121 S. Pine, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or when they obtain their driver’s license, through the Motor Voter Act.To register by mail, a form is available on the last page in the government section of the Qwest Dex directory or may be picked up at the election commissioner’s office. You can go to www.hallcountyne.gov and click on election portion and follow directions.
Forms are also available at local recruiting stations and agencies for the disabled and also at social services. For more information, call 385-5085.
License a pet:
People must bring proof of rabies vaccination to receive a license from the Humane Society, 1312 Sky Park Road. Newcomers have 30 days to license their pet. Cost of the license is $30 for dogs and cats intact (not spayed or neutered) or $20 for a spayed or neutered pet.Licenses are due Jan. 1 and are good for one year. Licenses can also be obtained from any Grand Island veterinarian clinic or the Humane Society. For additional information, call 385-5305.
Register a vehicle:
The following items are needed for a license after the purchase of a new vehicle: the title, Nebraska Sales Tax Form 6, bill of sale on private sales, insurance card for new vehicle and registration for trade-in (if applicable).For a title to a new car, owners should see the Hall County Clerk. Items required include an application for title, the title, odometer statement, lien contract (if financed), title fee of $10 and a lien fee of $7 (if financed).
Before a Nebraska title can be issued for an out-of-state vehicle, the vehicle and title must be inspected at the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to verify identification numbers. The sheriff’s office is located in the County-City Public Safety Center, 131 S. Locust, Grand Island; phone, 385-5200.
There is a $10 inspection fee. Owners must then bring in previous registration to register an out-of-state vehicle within 30 days.
Vehicle owners should see the county treasurer for payment of plates, stickers and taxes. Items required for issuance of plates or stickers include the county treasurer’s copy of the Nebraska title, sales tax form on new vehicles (bill of sale is required when purchased from a private party, Sales Tax Form 6 is required if purchased from a dealer), current insurance card and previous registration if transferring plates or a fee will be charged.
For more information, call the Hall County Clerk at 385-5075 or the Hall County Treasurer at 385-5030.
Receive natural gas:
Fill out an application at Northwestern Energy at 515 W. Third or call (800) 245-6977. If calling, personal identification will be required, along with a $10 connection fee depending on the situation. For more information, call (800) 245-6977.Receive electricity:
Call the Grand Island Utilities Department at 385-5480. It costs $15 to get an account.Get a post office box:
An application must be filled out, and the applicant must bring a valid driver’s license, or any identification with a photo, and a second form of identification to the main office at 204 W. South Front or the Webb Plaza office, 2418 N. Webb Road, Suite J.Sizes of post office boxes vary. A basic post office box is $20 for six months, plus $1 for each key.
Get a marriage license:
Marriage licenses can be purchased at the Hall County Clerk’s Office. Cost is $15 and must be cash. Personal information is required. Legal age limit is 19. The minimum age limit is 17 and parent’s consent is required if under the age of 19.Get a map of Grand Island:
Stop by the Chamber of Commerce office at 309 W. Second for a detailed city map.Get phone service:
Call Qwest at (800) 244-1111. There is a $33 hookup fee.Register child for school:
Official 2007-08 registration for the Grand Island Public Schools is in July and August.Elementary students register 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 1. Middle school students register from 11 am. to 7 p.m. July 30 and 31, and Aug. 1. Students at Senior High register as follows: Seniors noon to 3:30 p.m. July 31, juniors 8 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 1, sophomores 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 1, freshman noon to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2, and open registration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.
People who want to know which elementary or middle school district they live in can telephone the Grand Island Public Schools Administration Building at 385-5900.
People at the administration building also can answer other questions about Grand Island Public Schools registration.
The most important thing for parents to bring to school registration is a copy of their child’s immunization records.
Other general rules for registration are for parents to bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate, their child’s Social Security card if the child has one, and name, address, telephone number, the work place for mother and father and who to contact in case of an emergency.
Parents of a student who is transferring should bring a copy of their child’s school records. If that is not possible, they will need to sign permission for the Grand Island Public Schools to get records from the previous school.
Parents registering students for Northwest High School should bring health records, which includes immunizations, a copy of a birth certificate and school transcript, if they are transferring from another school district.
Returning Northwest students register for the upcoming school year before the present school year is done.
People who have questions can call the school at 385-6394.
Central Catholic registers incoming sixth-graders in January and February and registers all its current students for the following school year before classes are dismissed in May for summer vacation.
Newcomers may call and/or pick up an application for admission from the Central Catholic office at 1200 N. Ruby Ave. That application is included in a complete packet of information about Central Catholic.
Registration for the 2007-08 school year at Heartland Lutheran High School is Aug. 1.
Families in need of tuition assistance are urged to contact the school at 385-3900. More information on registration of new or returning students is available by calling the school office.
Begin trash pickup:
If you need garbage service in Grand Island, call one of five companies in the business and ask if it serves your neighborhood.Local collectors include Clark Brothers Sanitation, 384-2570; Mid Nebraska Disposal Inc., 382-7053; Central Waste Disposal, 382-0726; Full Circle, 384-4418; and Heartland Disposal, 382-1683. Exact price quotes must come from haulers.
Get rid of large amounts of compost, waste
The city owns and operates a state-licensed landfill west of Grand Island. A transfer station is located at 5050 W. Old Potash Highway for citizens to dispose of garbage, tree limbs, grass and leaves.Obtain a building permit:
In Grand Island, contact the city’s Building Department, 385-5444, Ext. 200; direct line access is 385-5325. Applicants should submit two sets of plans for review. Residential is two sets while Commercial is three sets.Permit fees are based on the cost of the project. Permits in the city are needed for things such as storage buildings more than 120 square feet in size, residing, reshingling, water heaters, new construction, remodeling and additions.
In Hall County, contact Max Boersen, building inspector for the county’s Building Department, 385-5130.
Applicants should have the location, plot plan and complete building plans. Permit fees are based on the project valuation.
Get crime prevention info:
Call the G.I. Police Department at 385-5400 and ask to talk to an officer in the Crime Prevention Unit. For more information about Hall County Sheriff’s Department programs, call 385-5200.Get in a tennis league:
Leagues are available at Health Plex Racquet Center, 2204 Bellwood Drive, 385-5306.Get in a bowling league:
Grand Island has two bowling alleys offering several leagues throughout the year. Those interested can call Super Bowl at 382-5200 or Westside Lanes at 381-0300.Get on little league team:
The Grand Island Youth Baseball offers recreation baseball for boys and girls ages 4 to 18. Those interested can call Jeff Hubl at 398-0237.Get on a softball team:
The Grand Island Softball Association offers men’s, women’s and mixed teams, which compete in slow-pitch leagues. Those interested may call Ben Arrants 398-5181 or visit www.gisba.com.Girls youth teams compete in five city classes at the Bob Sorensen Softball Complex. Call Sorensen at 382-0039 for more information.