January
Nemaha County Herald
Government & Civic Affairs
With Councilwoman Katy Billings’ resignation from Ward 2 due to moving out of the area, Mayor Chris Erickson appointed Brian Lavigne to fill the vacancy. Lavigne, a lifelong Auburn resident and former Auburn City Recreation Board leader, was sworn in Jan. 13. He was also added to the building and ordinance committee.
At Auburn Public Schools (APS), board reorganization took place Jan. 13. Laura Osborne was elected president, Beth Kernes-Krause vice president, and Ryan Jones treasurer. New board members Eli Davidson, Janny Crotty, and Grant Bruggemann were sworn in, while outgoing members Stephen Kennedy (16 years), Bill Chapin (8 years), and James Paschal (4 years) were recognized. Kennedy and Chapin reflected on their service, emphasizing mentorship, student success, and community involvement.
Michael Weiss was re-elected chair of the Nemaha County Commissioners on Jan. 15, with Mike Hall as vice chair. Appointments included Jeff Boden as county surveyor and Dan Alexander as highway superintendent. The board approved various resolutions, including interlocal agreements, investment of excess county funds, and tax-related actions. The Board of Equalization named Bryan Mellage chair and Weiss vice chair, approved annual vehicle tax exemptions for several organizations, and denied others.
On Jan. 21, the Peru City Council appointed Rachel Snyder (Brown) to the final vacant seat and addressed ordinances related to overnight parking on 5th Street and a rehabilitation agreement with local property owners.
The Nemaha Rescue Squad celebrated 40 years of service and the blessing of a new 2024 Dodge ambulance on Jan. 4. The vehicle was funded through ARPA funds and local fundraising, and features four-wheel drive for better access on snow and muddy roads.
Auburn’s Board of Public Works (BPW) reported ongoing water monitoring in Nemaha, with lead and copper testing to be retaken after previous samples failed to reach state labs. There are no lead or copper lines in the village, and no drinking water emergency was reported. BPW also continued the water emergency in Auburn and Peru noting wells remained under normal levels and implemented new 2025 utility rates: electric and sewer increased 3 percent, water increased 5 percent.
Community Celebrations and Events
Peru State College (PSC) held its annual Martin Luther King Day celebration on Jan. 20. The event included a soul-food brunch, performances by the Hoyt Street Jazz Ensemble, and essay and poster presentations from area students. PSC Social Science Club members shared experiences from a Civil Rights Tour, and a musical skit highlighted notable African Americans, including Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Emmett Till, and Kamala Harris.
TeamMates and the Knights of Columbus hosted the annual Chuck-A-Duck fundraiser on the AHS basketball court, raising $550 for TeamMates.
Auburn High School Speech Team
The AHS Bulldog Speech Team competed Jan. 25 at Conestoga and Lincoln Southwest. At Conestoga, Solomon and Nora Jacobitz earned second place in duet, securing their second National Individual Event Tournament of Champions bid. Other finalists included Veronica Porter, Grace Zhang, Hunter Stevenson, and the Oral Interpretation of Drama team. At Lincoln Southwest, Cuyler Aue and Gatlin Gerking placed fourth in duet.
Notable Achievements
Local YouTube creator Nikki Hayes of Earth & Owl achieved 100,000 subscribers, earning a Silver Play Button from YouTube. Hayes’ content focuses on yoga and rebounding workouts, including live streams and in-person sessions, and she has partnered with local businesses to sell branded merchandise.
Fifteen students from Auburn High School and seven from Johnson-Brock High School earned fall 2024 Academic All-State Awards from the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association, including recognition in sports, arts, and academics. Johnson-Brock also captured its first MUDECAS A division basketball tournament title.
Weather
Temperatures averaged 2.5 degrees below normal. Extremes were 51 degrees and 11 degrees below zero. Snowfall was 5.3 inches.
Deaths
Bill Dean Timmerman
Barbara Kay Kehr
Lauralee E. Bexten Bucher
Carla Jean Mason
Marilyn Kay Mcmann
Wilma June Koeneke
Raymond L. Caspers Sr.
Charles R. Fike
Nancy Lu Clarke
Daryl Clyde Long
Melissa (Sierks) Fisher
