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After nearly 34 years at the helm, Cedar County News publishers prepare to pass the pen
HARTINGTON — A management change has been announced at Hartington's oldest business.
Kellyn and Emily Dump have been named as the new publishers of the Cedar County News.
Rob Dump and Peggy Year had held those positions since they moved to Hartington May 1, 1992, to raise their young family and run the newspaper.
Dump had been involved in the newspaper industry since he was a teenager, and moving to Hartington gave him the opportunity to finally own and operate his own newspaper.
Now, nearly 34 years later, the couple is giving up their roles as newspaper publishers so their youngest son, Kellyn, and his wife, Emily, can manage the local newspaper and the Northeast Nebraska News Company, which publishes the Laurel Advocate, Randolph Times and Osmond Republican.
Dump and Year plan to stay involved in the newspaper, but on a much more limited basis.
'When we first got started in the business here, it was a lot of 80-85 hour weeks. I didn't see a whole lot of my family those first couple of years,' Dump said.
After awhile the work load eased, but even today, a 45-50-hour work week is not uncommon, he said.
That should soon change with the next generation taking over.
The couple couldn't be more pleased. 'Kellyn and Emily are going to do great,' Year said. 'They love small towns. Kellyn grew up at the newspaper — he knows the business inside and out.'
Kellyn Dump joined the newspaper operation full time in January 2020 as a sales representative. He quickly worked his way up to advertising sales manager.
Emily Dump joined the company as office manager in 2021. She quickly worked her way up to Business Manager.
Together, the two make a great team, Year said. 'Emily didn't have a journalism background at all when she came into the operation, but it didn't take her long to learn. Today, she can do just about anything at the paper — and do it well.'
Kellyn Dump said his dad will continue to serve as the newspaper's main reporter, for now, and will continue to cover city council, school board and county commission.
Year will continue as copy editor, graphic designer and paginator. A replacement for those roles is being sought, however.
Kellyn Dump said he's excited he and his wife will be moving into the publisher's role. It's a great honor and a great responsibility, he said.
'The Cedar County News has a long tradition of being one of the best community newspapers in Nebraska. Two of the former editors or publishers are in the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame — not a lot of small town newspapers can say that. Several of our former interns or employees have gone on to work for some of the largest newspapers in the state and in the country.'
'I am very proud of this newspaper,' Kellyn said. 'And the accomplishments of my parents. Emily and I have a big job ahead of us, and we are looking forward to getting started.'
One of the new publishers' first moves was to downsize the footprint of the newspaper operation.
The Cedar County News office is currently in the process of moving from its long-time home at 102 W. Main Street, to a new location right across the street at the former Family 1st Dental office at 103 W. Main Street.
Kellyn is a 2012 Cedar Catholic High School graduate, while Emily is a 2010 Laurel-Concord High School graduate.
The couple have four children, Grayson, 3; Liam, 2; Hayes, 2; and Shae, 4 months.
