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April 2, 2025
HARTINGTON — Cedar County Theatre announced plans to return to the stage, marking a renewed commitment to local performing arts and community entertainment.
Organizers said preparations were underway for an upcoming production, with rehearsals, casting and technical planning already in motion. The announcement highlighted the volunteer-driven nature of the organization and its role in providing cultural opportunities in Cedar County, as well as the challenges of rebuilding momentum following recent years of disruption.
The return of Cedar County Theatre was welcomed as another sign of community engagement and the continued importance of the arts in local life.
April 2, 2025
HARTINGTON —A local student’s artwork earned statewide recognition after drawing the attention of Gov. Jim Pillen, placing a spotlight on Cedar County creativity beyond the classroom. The piece, created as part of a school art project, was singled out by the governor for its quality and message, giving the student an unexpected opportunity to represent both their school and community at the state level.
April 2, 2025
HARTINGTON — Cedar County officials learned in April that the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the county’s request for disaster assistance tied to storm damage, citing that losses did not meet federal thresholds. The decision meant Cedar County and local landowners would not receive federal reimbursement for repair and recovery costs, leaving the county to address damages through local resources. The ruling highlighted the challenges rural counties face in meeting federal disaster criteria despite experiencing significant localized impacts.
April 9, 2025
LAUREL — Efforts to keep nursing home care in Laurel entered a critical phase in April as a citizen-led group raced against time to prevent the permanent loss of Hillcrest Care Center.
With the last residents preparing to leave the city-owned facility, organizers reported more than $279,000 in fundraising pledges but said significantly more was needed to reopen the home under a new nonprofit model known as Cedar Haven of Laurel.
The situation highlighted both strong community support and the difficult financial and regulatory hurdles facing rural nursing homes, as uncertainty remained over whether the facility could be saved before its license and staffing were lost.
April 9, 2025
HARTINGTON —The Cedar County Theatre made its return to the Hartington City Auditorium stage over the weekend with three performances of “The Curious Savage.”
The cast and stage crew performed in front of large crowds all three nights. The play featured several local actors including: Karma Schulte, Lilly Belle; Brett Wiedenfeld, Dr. Emmitt; Cheyanne Zach, Nurse Willie; Audrey McCray; and Lisa Kucera, Mrs. Paddy.
April 16, 2025
HARTINGTON — A proposal developed by Hartington-Newcastle High School Principal Corey Uldrich reshaped eight-man football in Nebraska after earning approval from the Nebraska School Activities Association.
The plan raised the enrollment cutoff for eight-man eligibility, created a third classification and expanded postseason opportunities for more schools, changes set to take effect with the 2025-26 school year.
The statewide approval capped more than a decade of work by Uldrich and other supporters and positioned the rule change as one of the most significant activity-related developments of the year for Cedar County schools.
April 16, 2025
HARTINGTON - With the completion of the new city shop only a few months away, the Hartington City Council decided Monday to put the old Fire Hall up for sale.
The 102 east Centre Street building has been used for the past several years for storage but will no longer be needed once the new building is completed.
Council members were not sure at this point exactly how they plan to sell it, but noted a public auction might be a good idea.
Mayor Mark Becker said the building has generated quite a bit of interest lately.
“We need to let people know, we are planning on selling it,” Becker said. “Hopefully, we can get something nice in there that will add to our community.”
Becker also updated the council on another city project renovation of the Skylon Ballroom. Becker said the floor has been poured and electrical is hooked up. The entryway addition at the front of the building should be here next week. Current plans are to have the facility up and running in time for August weddings, he said.
The council also approved a building permit and a conditional use permit to allow Hartington Ace Hardware to build a vestibule and entryway to the front of their 207 North Summit Street building and to put a propane filling station on the premises.
April 23, 2025
COLERIDGE - Those visiting a new Coleridge business may get sticker shock - but in a good way.
Buresh Meats, Coleridge’s newest business, is able to offer frozen meats, snack foods and other household goods at markedly lower prices by taking a page out of the playbook of giant retailers buying at a volume discount directly from wholesale farms and packers and passing those savings on to customers.
“We try to make it a one-stop shop but we know we’re still not going to carry everything. We just stick with what we can put our hands on at a price that we know we could be competitive,” Owner Scott Buresh said, from frozen chicken, seafood, pork and beef, alongside restaurant style frozen appetizers like mini tacos, jalapeno poppers and onion rings.
Bulk packages of dry goods pretzels, chips, alongside household items like paper towels and toilet paper, also line the shelves at Coleridge’s Buresh Meats location.
The Coleridge location is one of three owned and operated by the Buresh family Scott and his wife, Mary, of rural David City, and their seven children.
It was son Andrew Buresh who found the location in Coleridge at the former Ken’s Home Town Market grocery store. The grocery store, owned by Brenda Whalen and James Roberts, closed in August 2024.
The quality of the building and available equipment, as well as the building’s price tag made it a good fit for a new Buresh Meats location, Scott said.
Buresh Meats, beginning about eight years ago, has other retail locations in David City and Columbus.
April 23, 2025
RANDOLPH - Voters in the Randolph Public Schools district will be receiving ballots for the school bond issue in mailboxes soon. Cedar County Clerk Jessica Schmit mailed 1,159 ballots for the special election.
The school district encompasses voters from not only Cedar County but also Wayne and Pierce counties. Schmit will be the one coordinating the three-county election from her office in Hartington.
While those in Cedar County are used to receiving ballots by mail, voters in Pierce and Wayne counties will also be receiving their ballots by mail and not going to a polling place for the special bond election, she said.
Ballots must be returned by 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 13. One significant change for a special election is that those returning ballots by mail must stamp the return envelope, Schmit said. In a primary or general election, the postage is paid.
April 30, 2025
HARTINGTON — As work continues on the Skylon Ballroom in prepara tion for a late summer opening, the Hartington City Council is beginning to put the pieces together as to how to run the new community center.
Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said work on a new addition to the front of the 73 year-old facility is expected to begin this week.
The Council voted Monday to sign a 19-month lease of the facility to Skylon Ballroom, LLC headed by Corey Kramer.
Kramer’s company will take over operations of the facility starting June 1. The deal allows the tenant to operate the site as a rental event space through the end of 2026, with the City of Hartington retaining ownership.
The first event of the newly reopened Skylon is expected to take place late this summer, said Mayor Becker.
The lease specifies the city will receive 50 percent of all rental income earned by the business, with exceptions for the first $4,000 each month. The lease also mandates the tenant must provide documentation of rental activity and make monthly payments accordingly.
The lease also places full operational responsibility on Skylon Ballroom, LLC, including marketing, event coordination, and securing a liquor license.
April 30, 2025
HARTINGTON — The old Hartington Fire Hall will be going on the auction block this summer. The Hartington City Council voted Monday to work with Don Miller Land Company and Creamer Auction company to sell the 60-year old building at a public and online auction either in July or August. Chris Miller proposed the idea to the Council during its regular meeting here Monday.
Miller said selling the property this way gives the city the best oppor tunity to get the best price, as it will be promoted locally, regionally and nationally.
Miller said using his services will not cost the city any money as the five percent fee will be paid for by the buyer.
“I like the idea of having this professionally done. It would be simpler for us to do it this way,” Mayor Mark Becker said before the Council voted on the proposal.
The Council also considered selling the old city shop building on auction, as well. But the more the issue was discussed, the more hesitant the Council became. After some discussion it was decided not to put that property up for sale at this time because the city may decide to raze that building.
April 30, 2025
KEARNEY — The Cedar County News was named as one of the top community newspapers in the state when the Nebraska Press Association celebrated the best in Nebraska journalism Saturday at its annual convention in Kearney.
The event brought together newspaper professionals from across the state to recognize outstanding work, life-long achievement, and the future of the industry through a series of prestigious awards and scholarships.
The Cedar County News was honored this year with the Freedom of Information award.
The prize is awarded each year to only one Nebraska daily or weekly newspaper regardless of size. The News earned the award for its efforts to make sure the quadruple murder trial of Jason Jones remained open to the public and the media.
The award committee was impressed with the way the News approached the trial, making sure it would remain open after hearing the judge and attorneys discussing the possibility of‘shielding’ some evidence.
May 7, 2025 HARTINGTON — A new housing development here brings with it a chance for a new start for several area families.
City and state officials gathered with developers at the new Nordby Housing Addition site Friday for a ground-breaking ceremony.
The 12-unit development will feature rent-to-own homes built between east Main Street and Highway 84 on the east side of town.
A great deal of work has already been done at the site. The street and infrastructure has already been installed and three of the 12 houses have already been framed up. The basements for a couple more have been dug.
City leaders said Friday they hope the development will provide opportunities for not only new residents to Hartington, but for those who’ve called Cedar County home for decades, as well.
May 7, 2025 HARTINGTON — Students at several area schools will say goodbye to high school this week, as commencement ceremonies are planned across Cedar County.
Cedar Catholic, Wynot, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge and Randolph will all hold graduation ceremonies Saturday. Members of the Hartington-Newcastle Class of 2025 will graduate next Saturday, May 17.
The Class of 2025 is comprised of 33 students at Cedar Catholic. Class members will walk the Msgr. Werner Activity Center stage for a 2 p.m. ceremony on Saturday. At an awards banquet Tuesday morning, Lauren Bernecker and Melayna McGregor were announced as the class Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
Wynot High School will hold commencement ceremonies at 5 p.m. Saturday night in the school gym. Isabelle Francis is the Wynot Valedictorian.
