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June 18, 2025
HARTINGTON — After nearly four decades of service, Father Owen Korte began preparing for retirement, reflecting on a priesthood that included leadership roles across northeast Nebraska and a lasting impact in Hartington. Among his most significant accomplishments, Korte cited guiding Cedar Catholic from a priest-directed school to a boardgoverned institution with a lay president. He announced plans to remain in Hartington after retirement, closing a long chapter of spiritual and educational leadership while beginning a new phase of life.
June 18, 2025
HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board moved closer to permanently shuttering the former Newcastle school building, citing high utility costs and limited use of the facility.
Board members directed that an agenda item be added for July to consider closing the building entirely, nearly four years after students were consolidated into the Hartington campus.
June 18, 2025
RANDOLPH — Cedar County Transit driver Dave Owens represented Nebraska on a national stage after competing in the CTAA National ROADEO in San Diego, Calif. Owens qualified for nationals by winning the state competition and finished as the highest-scoring Nebraskan among 61 drivers nationwide.
His performance highlighted both professional skill and the often-overlooked role of rural transit employees in providing safe and reliable transportation.
June 25, 2025
HARTINGTON — Hartington city officials formally closed a longstanding loophole in the city’s ban on chickens and other fowl by approving an ordinance that includes financial penalties. The updated law imposes a $100 fine for violations, with an additional $10 per day for continued noncompliance. During the same meeting, council members hired Stockwell Engineers for potential work related to the Skylon Ballroom Community Center and discussed future improvements at the Hartington Community Complex, reflecting continued attention to both code enforcement and long-term facility planning.
July 2, 2025
HARTINGTON — A long-vacant landmark received new life as NAPA Auto Parts announced plans to relocate into the former Hartington VFW building along Highway 57.
Owner Eric Eickhoff said the move will provide better visibility, improved parking and easier freight access, positioning the business for long-term growth. The relocation also continued a broader trend of reinvestment in existing buildings while preserving a locally owned business with deep roots in the community.
July 2, 2025
HARTINGTON — Preparations were underway for the 2025 Cedar County Fair, which was set to run July 16–20 with four nights of music, expanded seating and new amenities.
Fair officials highlighted Cedarstock Musicfest, featuring multiple national acts, along with improvements to accessibility and seating capacity at the grandstand. The planning underscored the fair’s continued role as one of the county’s largest summer draws.
July 2, 2025
OBERT — Hartington veterinarians Ben and Erin Schroeder brought new life to the historic Obert schoolhouse, completing a major restoration of the 1912 building after years of vacancy and deterioration.
The project preserved much of the original structure while transforming it into a family residence, continuing the couple’s pattern of adaptive reuse projects across Cedar County.
The renovation also sparked renewed interest in revitalization within the small village.
July 2, 2025
HARTINGTON — Fourth of July celebrations began early in Hartington with a fireworks display for residents of the Accura Healthcare Nursing and Assisted Living Facility. The event, hosted with help from Fly By Night Fireworks and the city, reflected ongoing community efforts to ensure local celebrations are accessible to residents of all ages and abilities.
July 9, 2025
HARTINGTON — A long-planned infrastructure upgrade reached a milestone as Hartington’s new city shop became operational, consolidating equipment that had previously been stored in multiple aging and overcrowded facilities. City officials said the nearly century-old former shop would likely be demolished and the property repurposed for parking, while the new facility provides improved safety, efficiency and a better work environment for city employees. Leaders noted the project came in on budget and positions the city’s operations for decades to come.
July 9, 2025
HARTINGTON — Summer fair season ramped up across northeast Nebraska as a trio of county and community fairs offered weeks of activities, livestock shows and entertainment. The schedule included the Dixon County Fair, Randolph Community Fair and the Cedar County Fair, with Cedarstock concerts, PRCA rodeo events and youth livestock shows highlighting the region’s strong agricultural and community traditions during the busiest stretch of the summer.
July 9, 2025
HARTINGTON — The Trinity Lutheran Church Lunch Stand marked a century of service at the Cedar County Fair, celebrating 100 years as one of the fairgrounds’ most enduring traditions. Church members traced the stand’s roots to 1925, when chicken dinners were the original fare, and planned a special anniversary meal to honor its history. The milestone highlighted the stand’s role as both a community gathering place and the church’s primary annual fundraiser.
July 9, 2025
HARTINGTON — Heavy summer rains caused localized damage in Cedar County, washing out a culvert on a county road and underscoring the impact of intense weather events.
Unofficial reports indicated nearly three inches of rain fell in some areas, with more than two inches recorded in Hartington.
The damage served as a reminder of ongoing infrastructure challenges tied to increasingly heavy rainfall.
July 16, 2025
HARTINGTON — Leadership of the Holy Spirit Catholic Parishes entered a new chapter as Fr. Kevin Vogel formally stepped into the role of pastor following the retirement of Fr. Owen Korte. Vogel, who had spent years preparing for the transition, was joined by newly ordained associate pastor Fr. Will Targy.
Church leaders emphasized continuity, evangelization and strengthening parish life across the seven-parish cluster.
July 16, 2025
HARTINGTON — Hartington-Newcastle students brought national recognition home after FCCLA members earned multiple top-10 finishes at the national conference in Orlando, Fla. Twelve of the 19 students competing placed among the nation’s best, including two national championship projects. The results capped a strong year for the program and highlighted student preparation, leadership and academic excellence.
July 16, 2025
HARTINGTON — Cedar County Treasurer Jean Wiebelhaus reported strong tax compliance, telling county commissioners that more than 98 percent of taxes for 2022 and 2023 had been collected. County officials also advanced inter-county emergency aid agreements, reviewed infrastructure concerns and approved budget adjustments for transit services, reflecting continued attention to fiscal stability and long-term planning.
July 16, 2025
HARTINGTON — Local author Laci Maskell expanded her literary reach in 2025, successfully transitioning from romance novels to children’s chapter books. With eight published works and more planned, Maskell’s shift highlighted both creative growth and Cedar County’s growing presence in independent publishing and youthfocused literature.
July 23, 2025
HARTINGTON — With the Carrie Jones trial set to begin, court rulings shaped how one of Cedar County’s most significant criminal cases would proceed. Orders allowed Jones to appear without restraints, approved the release of juror information to defense counsel, and required Jason Jones to be transported to testify.
The developments underscored the continued legal complexity surrounding the 2022 Laurel killings.
July 23, 2025
HARTINGTON — Hartington-Newcastle and Cedar Catholic formally agreed to dissolve their wrestling co-op while continuing to share coaches, facilities and transportation.
School officials cited competitive fairness and participation opportunities as key factors, marking a shift in how the two programs would operate while preserving collaboration.
July 23, 2025
HARTINGTON — Years of floodcontrol investment proved their value as heavy summer storms tested northeast Nebraska infrastructure.
Watershed structures in the Aowa Creek system successfully prevented major flooding, with officials estimating more than $1.3 million in avoided damage. The performance reinforced the long-term payoff of regional planning and mitigation efforts.
July 23, 2025
HARTINGTON — The Cedar County Fair once again delivered a week of livestock shows, concerts and community pride despite challenging weather conditions. New grandstands and technology upgrades enhanced the experience, while strong attendance reaffirmed the fair’s role as one of the county’s most important events.
