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They can also register 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 http://www.hcgi.org 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.

Get a map of Grand Island:

Stop by the Chamber of Commerce office at 309 W. Second for a detailed city map.

Register a vehicle:

The following items are needed to license a car 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, registration for trade-in (if applicable).

For a title to a new car, owners should see the 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 vehicle 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.

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.

Begin trash pickup service:

If you need garbage service in Grand Island, call one of two companies in the business that operate under five business names and ask if it serves your neighborhood.

Mid Nebraska Disposal/Clark Brothers and Waste Connections doing business as Central Waste Disposal serve Grand Island.

Exact price quotes must come from haulers, but the general rates in the city are:

  • $15.33 per month for a 96-gallon toter with once a week pickup for Mid Nebraska Disposal/Clark Brothers while Central Waste Disposal is 15.82 per month. The bill comes quarterly. The company typically provides the toter.

  • $58 per season for weekly pickup of a yard waste container for Nebraska Disposal/Clark Brothers while Central Waste Disposal is $59 per month. The company typically provides the container. The season lengths vary depending on the hauler for Nebraska Disposal/ Clark Brothers. The season length is April 1 thur Nov. 30.

  • Usually free to garbage customers is curbside recycling of plastic, newspaper and aluminum, which will vary depending on the hauler. Pickup is once a week. The company usually provides the recycling container.

    Purchase a membership to Nebraska Bird Observatory at Crane Meadows:

    Call 382-1820. Memberships are $25 for an individual, $30 for a companion and guest and $35 for a grandparent and family pass, plus a state tax. The family pass includes parents and household children under 18, while the grandparents' pass includes grandparents and grandkids under 18. A contributing membership can be purchased for $50 or more. A donor membership is $100, a patron membership is $250 and a benefactor membership is $500.

    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 Bart Ross, 370-7995.

    Men's and women's fast-pitch teams compete at the Platt-Duetsche. Those interested can call Gene Schneberger at 382-6742.

    Girls youth teams compete in five city classes at the Bob Sorensen Softball Complex. Those interested can call Sorensen at 382-0039.

    Obtain hunting permits and fishing licenses:

    Hunting and fishing permits can be purchased at the Mormon Island State Recreation Area near the Highway 281/Interstate 80 interchange or at any Skagway, Ace Hardware, Kmart and Wal-Mart.

    Permits are valid for one year. Proof of identification is required.

    Costs for permits and licenses are:

    Small-game hunting permit -- $11 for resident; $67 for nonresident plus habitat stamp. Cost for the habitat stamp is $13.

    Deer hunting permit -- $26 for resident; $176 for nonresident.

    A $13 habitat stamp is required with each hunting permit. The stamp pays for habitat grounds and public hunting areas.

    Fishing license -- $15 for resident; $45 for nonresident. A three-day pass can be purchased for $14 plus stamp for resident and $14 plus stamp for nonresident.

    A $5 aquatic habitat stamp is required with each fishing permit. The stamp pays for habitat grounds and public fishing areas.

    Combination fishing-hunting pass -- $25 plus the $5 aquatic and $13 habitat stamp; $43 total.

    For additional information on state fishing and hunting permit fees, contact the Nebraska Game & Parks Com missionat (402) 471-0641, or check out its Web site at www.ngpc.state.ne.us/.

    Official 2005-06 registration for the Grand Island Public Schools is in July and August.

    Elementary students register Aug. 2-3; middle school students register Aug. 1-3; and students at Senior High register Aug. 2-4.

    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 people might have about Grand Island Public School 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 certification; 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.

    Northwest High School registration for new students is Aug. 11-12. Parents 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 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 2005-2006 school year at Heartland Lutheran High School is Aug. 1. Families in need of tuition assistance are urged to contact the school (385-3900) prior to Aug. 2.

    More information on registration of new or returning students is available by calling the school office.

    Run or walk, hike or bike, Grand Island's Beltline Hiker/Biker Trail has become a popular spot for recreationists.

    The trail splits the city from southwest to east and might be the most popular, unofficial fitness or recreation meeting place in the city.

    If the weather is cooperative, the four-mile trail is a haven for citizens seeking a long ride or a short walk. It runs from Cherry and Sutherland streets on the east side of Grand Island to Henry Street in the southwest, where it hooks up with the Grand Island City Cemetery, which has its own paved track for walkers and bikers.

    For those interested, another trail heads south from Stolley Park Road -- within a half-block of the City Cemetery -- for a mile to Central Community College and the new segment is a mile from Central Community College to Hall County Park.

    The community also has a hike and bike trail in the west part of town. It runs from Shoemaker Elementary School to State Street.

    A third trail is in the works at the old Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant, located west of Grand Island on Husker Highway.

    Another popular site for walkers, bikers and joggers is Hall County Park, located just south of Grand Island on Schimmer Drive. The blacktop surface in the mostly-shaded park is nearly a mile in distance.

    Just north of Grand Island, at the junction of Airport Road and Highway 281, is Eagle Scout Park, the city's newest park. It is also a mile around this park, which attracts many outdoor-oriented people young and old -- walkers, joggers, bikers and anglers.

    An active bicycling community meets regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays for relaxed or vigorous rides in the Grand Island area.

    Wayne Cyclery, 309 N. Pine in Grand Island, is the site where bikers meet for the rides. Long-distance bikes meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, while relaxed bikers meet at 6:15 p.m.

    Among popular bike routes, Wayne said Highway 34 east to the Phillips (318) exit is often used. It has a shoulder for bicyclists.

    For additional information on regular bicycle rides or scheduled events, check out the Web site at www.waynecyclery.com.

    The Grand Island YMCA also holds group cycling classes throughout the week.

    Swimming

    The most popular "swimming hole" in Grand Island is the Island Oasis water park, just east of South Locust Street and on Fonner Park Road. It features a large wave pool, lazy river and several water slides of various lengths and angles and attracts many visitors from outside Grand Island throughout the summer.

    The second outdoor public pool is Lincoln Park, which offers a water slide and diving area. It is located in Lincoln Park at East Eighth and Beal.

    Finally, swimmers can go to the YMCA year-round. Members can swim free during open pool hours; non-members can swim after paying a minimal fee.

    There are four waiting pools which are located at Stolley Park, Pier Park, Lincoln Park and Grace Abbott Park.

    Fishing

    Two of the best areas for fishing are Eagle Scout Lake (see above) and L.E. Ray Lake, which also has an area for swimming. Kids and seniors may also fish at Pier Park Lake in east-central Grand Island, as well as Mormon Island (see above).

    Another fishing area is Sucks Lake, which is located off Harrison St.

    Some anglers also try their luck catfishing in the Platte River.

    Camping

    Mormon Island, at the intersection of Highway 281 and Interstate 80, is one of three camping areas in Hall County. The state recreation area has 38 sites for campers -- four tent sites, 25 30-amp sites and nine 50-amp sites. A state park entry permit is also required.

    Hall County Park is a popular campground at Highway 281 and Schimmer Drive.

    A third county camping site is the Cheyenne State Recreation Area at the Wood River exit off Interstate 80. It also requires a state park permit, which costs $17 for the year or $3 for a day.

    The Grand Island KOA (Kampgrounds of America) is not located in Hall County, but the camping site is nearby at the I-80 Exit 318 east of Grand Island. Kamping Kabins are available, as well as full-hookup facilities and tent sites.

    Reservations have to made through Lincoln at (402)471-1414 or go through outdoornebraska.org and has to be filled out. It has to be made three days in advance.

    Other activities

    Other outdoor, competitive or recreational sporting and fitness activities in Grand Island include:

  • Baseball -- Grand Island Little League (Grand Island Youth Baseball) has its office at 111 W. Fourth. Baseball is available for youths ages 5 on up to those 15 or older. Games are held at several sites in Grand Island; games for the older youth are played at Ashley Field and Pier Park.

    Grand Island has four American Legion baseball teams.

    There also is a separate baseball league which serves youths ages 5-12 in the northwest sector of the city. Games are held at George Park and the fields at Westridge Middle School.

  • Bowling -- Grand Island has two bowling alleys. Super Bowl is located at the intersection of Bismark Road and Cherry Street, and Westside Lanes is at 112 Kaufman Ave.

  • Gymnastics -- The Grand Island Twisters Gymnastics School offers lessons and the chance to be on a competitive team. The school is at 321 Stagecoach Road.

  • Health clubs -- The city has three health club facilities other than the YMCA.

    The Health Plex Fitness Center, at 2909 W. Highway 30, has been in existence for 22 years. It is a coed facility that offers all kinds of training programs for all ages of men and women. Curves for Women, located at 3805 Old Potash Highway, and Ladies Workout Express, at 2215 N. Webb Road, offer circuit training for women, among other features.

  • Racquetball -- The YMCA, 221 E. South Front St., has five courts, which can be reserved.

  • Roller skating -- Skate Island is located at 2310 N. Webb Road.

  • Skateboarding -- The skate park, located in Pier Park, has proved very popular for skateboarders, rollerbladers and bicyclists.

  • Skeet and trap shooting -- The new skeet range, called the Heartland Public Shooting Park, is located near the intersection of Husker Highway and the Alda Road, in the southeast corner of the former Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant land. The range features sporting clays, skeet and trap shooting and rifle and pistol berms. The shooting park, a public facility, also has a picnic area and "clubhouse."

  • Softball -- The Grand Island Softball Association offers men's, women's and coed teams, which compete in slow-pitch leagues. The teams compete at the Fonner Park fields, 700 E. Stolley Park Road. Coed teams also play games at Ryder Park, located on West Lincoln Highway.

    Men's and women's fast-pitch teams compete at the Platt-Duetsche, 1315 W. Anna.

    Girls youth teams compete in five city classes at the Bob Sorensen Softball Complex, located in Ryder Park. It offers softball for girls 5 through 18 in and around the Grand Island area.

    Northwest Grand Island also offers softball for girls ages 5 through 12 in and around the Grand Island area.

  • Stock car racing -- Mid-Nebraska Speedway, located between Grand Island and Doniphan on Old Highway 281, races each Saturday from May through Labor Day. Drivers compete in street stock, IMCA modified, late model division and wild and wacky cruisers.

  • Taekwondo -- Grand Island has two clubs: Third City Taekwondo at 210 W. Second and South Central Taekwondo at 216 W. Second.

  • Tennis -- The Health Plex Racquet Center at 2204 Bellwood Drive has three indoor courts and two outdoor courts. Other outdoor public courts are located at Buechler Park, Lincoln Park, Pier Park, Ryder Park, Stolley Park, George Park, Sothman Park and Grand Island Senior High.

  • YMCA -- The Grand Island YMCA, 221 E. South Front St., features racquetball courts, two gyms, 25-meter indoor swimming pool, indoor track, weightlifting area and pool tables.

  • YWCA - 211 E. Fonner Park Road, has Almost Home Program for schoolchildren, pre-school, child care center, dance programs and several other programs and activities.

    Call the Grand Island Utilities Department at 385-5480. It costs $14 to get an account.

    Receive natural gas service:

    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.

    Get a marriage license:

    Marriage licenses can be purchased at the Hall County Clerk's Office. Cost is $15. 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 phone service:

    Call Qwest at (800) 244-1111. There is a $33 hookup fee.

    Obtain a building permit:

    In Grand Island, contact the city's Building Department, 385-5444, extension 200. The direct line access is 385-5325. Applicants should submit two sets of plans for review for residential building, while commercial construction requires 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.

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