On Tuesday, Animal Advisory Board of Grand Island made a change to proposed regulations on beekeeping. The regulations allow people to keep two beehives per lot within the city limits.

According to the board, people must have to place a 'bee hives present' sign on fencing surrounding the bee hives. The sign idea was brought up by Laurie Dethloff, director of Central Nebraska Humane Society. She asked the board, "Do you think it would be proactive to identify within a certain area that there are bees so that somebody who would have an allergy would be more cautious?"

Judy Weston, Central Community College Education Coordinator, said that the college has planned to place 'bee hives present' signs around the hives for its beekeeping course. Previously, the board had decided to excuse college from Grand Island's animal regulations.

Steve Lamken, police chief, said that the signs should be placed on the 6-foot-high fencing that is required around bee hives. The fencing will be helpful in forcing the bees up to head height before they fly to pollen sources. According to Lamken, it is not necessary to place the sign at any other location on a property with bee hives.

Grand Island City Councilman Mitch Nickerson said that the proposed beekeeping regulations are among the most comprehensive regulations in the state. According to Nickerson, the new rule will require the city's beekeepers to get a permit from the Central District Health Department.

Nickerson said that getting a permit would be a key process. It will allow the department to know about the people who have the hives. As per Nickerson, permit will be given to beekeepers who take an educational course, which will include three hours of hands-on work.