Year in Review - Long-awaited road paving project is nearly complete
July 3, 2019
HARTINGTON — It’s amazing Peter Talley can sleep at night. You see, there is something oddly different about this Hartington man. There is a unique world of magic and wonder hiding just beneath the surface of his balding skull. Talley has had characters and their adventures coming to life inside of his head ever since he was a little kid growing up in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He’s been tweaking those creations, first with paper and colored pencils, then on a mouse and keyboard, for a couple of decades, now. Those stories have now come to life in an anthology and are being shared with people from across the globe. His first novel, “Orbs of Avalon: Tales of Urban Magick and Horror,” was published last year. The book brings readers to the world of Avalon, a world where he uses a series of short stories to weave the lives of all these characters together.
July 3, 2019
HARTINGTON — Workers smoothed out cement this week that was being laid on 882 Road just south of Hartington at the junction of Highway 57 and Highway 84 last week. The paving project, which was on the drawing board for several years, is nearing completion. The project also included paving the road leading from the schools to 882 Road. The road is expected to be open in late July.
July 3, 2019
FORDYCE — An early-morning altercation here Tuesday sent one man to the hospital in critical condition. According to Cedar County Sheriff’s Dept. reports, the unidentified man was stabbed with what looked to be a machete some time before 7 a.m., Tuesday. Rhea Haug called 911 to report her estranged husband, Kevin Haug, 44, had stabbed the man at her home at 106 Fourth Street in Fordyce. She reported the man was bleeding severely from his legs, head and stomach area. Kevin Haug then left the scene in a white 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. Haug was believed to be headed to South Dakota. As of press time Tuesday, Haug had not yet been apprehended. Cedar County Attorney Edward H. Matney said law enforcement is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Haug
July 10, 2019
HARTINGTON — Local residents always knew there was something unique about their hometown. Thanks to a new national designation, the rest of the country may soon realize that, too. National Register Coordinator David Calease, Omaha, said he received official notification last week that much of downtown Hartington has been placed on the National Historic Register as a Historic District. The Hartington Carnegie Library also received the designation. The Hartington City Auditorium, the Historic Hartington Hotel and the Cedar County Courthouse already have the designation. Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said he was very pleased to see the National Park Service recognize Hartington. “I think it’s good for Hartington. Anything we can do to help to distinguish ourselves from other communities is a great deal,” he said. Becker said he commends everyone that worked so hard to get this accomplished. “That was not an easy thing to do. As always, it’s the people of Hartington stepping up to help make this a great town,” he said. Erin Schroeder, who along with her husband, Ben, got the ball rolling on the designation in March 2018, was very pleased to hear downtown Hartington had earned the designation. “This is awesome news,” she said. “I think there is incredible potential for downtown Hartington. There are so many beautiful buildings in downtown that could really take advantage of this.”
July 10, 2019
HARTINGTON — Attempted murder suspect Kevin Haug is still receiving medical treatment after being injured while fleeing from law enforcement last Tuesday. Because of his injuries, Haug, 44, has still not been able to be charged in Cedar County Court. Haug was apprehended last Tuesday after a high speed chase with South Dakota and Nebraska law enforcement officials ended in a car accident at the intersection of Highway 81 and 84. Kevin Haug was driving a U-Haul truck when it collided with a semi-trailer truck at the intersection. The accident took place during a police chase down Highway 81. Haug is being accused of allegedly stabbing James Olson in Fordyce the morning of July 2. According to Cedar County Sheriff’s Dept. reports, Olson was stabbed with what looked to be a machete some time before 7 a.m., Tuesday. Rhea Haug called 911 at 6:51 a.m. to report her estranged husband had stabbed Olson at her home at 106 Fourth Street in Fordyce. She reported Olson was bleeding severely from his legs, head and stomach area. Haug then left the scene in a white 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. Investigators said they saw blood on the sidewalk leading from the house. Signs of forced entry into the house were also evident. Two knives — one a 10-inch corn knife — were also recovered at the scene. Olson was taken by ambulance to Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, S.D., where he was treated for stab wounds to his forehead, hand and abdomen. Law enforcement reports indicate he underwent surgery for a deep laceration to his abdomen.