.jpg)
LINCOLN — The Cedar County News was recognized Saturday as one of the top weekly newspapers in Nebraska, earning 25 awards at the Nebraska Press Association’s annual convention.
The Hartington-based newspaper also claimed the top weekly digital news producer award, marking the third time in the seven-year history of the category that the News has earned the weekly sweepstakes honor for its work in video, social media and web content.
In addition, the News captured the digital sweepstakes award in its circulation class for the sixth time.
The Cedar County News also earned a bronze award in the overall sweepstakes competition for newspapers in its circulation category.
A total of 2,051 entries were judged this year by members of the North Dakota Newspaper Association.
Former Cedar County News publisher Rob Dump was also recognized, earning runner-up honors in the Editorial of the Year contest for an editorial focusing on the role of small towns in standing up to large corporations.
That category includes entries from both daily and weekly newspapers statewide.
The recognition continues a strong run for Northeast Nebraska News Company publications. This marks the third consecutive year one of its newspapers has placed either first or second in the statewide editorial contest. A Cedar County News editorial won the award in 2024, followed by a Randolph Times editorial in 2025.
The Cedar County News was also recognized for its overall editorial page and editorial writing.
Awards were presented Saturday night during the association’s banquet at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.
Two other Northeast Nebraska News Company publications also earned honors.
The Randolph Times received a first-place award for a community promotion advertisement created ahead of a school bond election.
The Times also earned first place for a series of articles by Rob Dump highlighting the 90th anniversary of First State Bank. A feature story by former editor Trisha Benton — a Valentine’s Day profile of Don and Ann Marie Thies — also received first-place honors.
Benton added a third-place award for reporting on the dismissal of Randolph’s former city clerk.
The Laurel Advocate earned a third-place award for a breaking news photo of a car fire by Sandra Cross. Advocate intern Hannah Ryun earned a second-place plaque for her video report on the annual Ag Days celebration.
In the statewide print sweepstakes competition, the Knox County News was named the top weekly newspaper, while the Hastings Tribune earned top honors among daily newspapers.
The Knox County News finished with 18 first-place awards, 12 second-place awards and seven third-place awards to claim the weekly title for the fourth time.
The Hastings Tribune totaled 12 first-place, 11 second- place and four third-place awards for 240 points to win the daily division.
Flatwater Free Press won the inaugural Class C Digital Sweepstakes Award, recognizing larger print and digital newsrooms.
Contest categories included writing, photography, advertising, digital media, design and overall creativity.
In total, the Cedar County News earned eight firstplace awards, seven second-place awards and nine third-place awards.
First-place honors for the Cedar County News included:
• Digital sweepstakes award for best overall digital presence, including social media, website, video and digital advertising
• News photographer Jeremy Buss for a first-place image featuring Cedar Catholic wrestling coaches leaping in celebration
• Best use of computer graphics for the weather graphic which accompanied the News' annual weather in review article.
Two Wynot area roads also drew quite a bit of attention at Tuesday’s meeting. Wynot Village board member Terry Pinkelman addressed the board about a road heading out of Wynot that is in bad shape and in need of repair. Pinkelman said the village was aware of an agreement put together in the early 2000s which stated the village and county would work together to get the road armor coated and then share maintenance expenses. Pinkelman said he would like to see that happen again in this case.
However, another document was discovered that specifically said the county would not assist the village with maintenance on another village road.
Pinkelman said it is estimated to cost $20,000 for armor coating, some patching on that road.
Something does have to be done with that road, Donner said, adding they will have to look at it before making any decisions.
“Whatever you decide, we need to make it official and write it down — put it into an interlocal agreement,” Schmidt told Commissioners.
Also at the April 14 meeting, Commissioners heard a report from Cedar County Assessor Janelle Heikes. Heikes said 16 changes had to be made on property taxes concerning the Homestead Exemption.
Commissioners also approved a Special Designated Liquor License for Nissen Wine for a wine tasting event June 23 at the Cedar County Fairgrounds. The wine tasting is part of the welcoming event community organizers are planning for the statewide bike ride which will come through here this summer.
Also at last Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioners officially rejected all chip seal bids that were tabled at the last meeting.
Commissioners also passed a resolution to close a County line road on the Dixon County line in southern Cedar County. The south half mile of 576 Avenue road in pct 21 will be closed. Dixon County had already voted to close that portion of the road.
Cedar County Zoning Administrator Tim Gobel also presented several building permits for Commissioner’s review.
They were:
• Matt Lundahl, Pct. 21, for a 167,500 bushel grain bin
• Duane Schantz, Pct. 1, for a 40x60 pole barn
• Troy young, Pct. 21, for a 40x100 pole barn
• Scott Becker, Pct. 4, for a 1,500 sq. foot house
• Mathew Pinkelman, Pct. 6, for a 30x40 steel frame shop
• Tim Bearnes, Pct. 15, for a 10x21 canopy Commissioners also approved four conditional use permits.
