.jpg)
LAUREL— The Northeast Nebraska News Company celebrated its 29th anniversary of ownership of the Laurel Advocate with a big announcement.
Kellyn and Emily Dump have been named as the new publishers of the Laurel Advocate and the Northeast Nebraska News Company.
Rob Dump and Peggy Year had held those positions since they purchased the Advocate on Oct. 1, 1996.
Dump had been involved in the newspaper industry since he was a teenager, and moving to Hartington to purchase the Cedar County News in 1992 gave him the opportunity to finally own and operate his own newspaper. The couple purchased the Advocate, Randolph Times and Osmond Republican four years later.
Their youngest son, Kellyn, and his wife, Emily, a Laurel native, are now taking over the business.
Dump and Year plan to stay involved in the newspaper, but on a much more limited basis.
The couple couldn’t be more pleased with the transition.
“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 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.
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 country or in the state.” “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 Couny News office is 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.
