Freshman pitcher Tinley Dunn struck out eight batters and allowed only three hits in Auburn’s first round game against Falls City, leading to a 6-3 victory over the Tigers.

After Auburn went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the second, Falls City scored three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Auburn would take the lead back with four runs scored in the bottom of the fourth inning, while the defense shut out Falls City in the final two innings to advance to the conference title game.

The Bulldogs again had to play from behind after surrendering four runs in the top of the first inning against Palmyra in the title game. Auburn put up one run in the first, but Palmyra’s lead held at 4-1 through the end of the fourth inning.

Auburn got their bats going in the fifth inning, scoring five runs to take their first lead of the game. Bree Wehenkel drove in three runs on one hit, while Dunn and Quinn Grafton recorded two hits apiece.

After giving up four runs in the first inning, Auburn’s defense shut Palmyra out through the final six innings, leading to an 8-4 win and a conference title for the Bulldogs.

Leading into the conference tournament, Auburn earned two wins over Fairbury and Syracuse and lost their only game of the week to Mercy, improving their season record to 14-9.

Cooper Jones racked up 112 yards and two touchdowns on

Chevy Tahoe Premier 2025

15 carries to lead the Thunderbird offense. Diego Martinez and Raegan Campbell Thies each scored two rushing touchdowns of their own as well.

Fairbury made most of their gains through the air, totalling 234 yards of passing offense, but the Thunderbirds would hold the Jeffs to just one touchdown in the first half, taking a 40-8 lead into halftime.

JCC cruised in the second half to a 28-point win after a rough start to the season.

Two women raised on farms in this corner of southeast Nebraska, born 55 years apart, ended up pointed at the same stretch of river.
The first was Elzada Clover, born in 1896 in Peru, who in 1938 became one of the first two women known to successfully run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and the first botanist to catalog what grew along it.
The second is Pamela Bergmann, 74, who grew up on a farm southeast of Auburn. She talked her way into a summer to Sweden at 20 and hasn’t stopped traveling since. On Oct. 3 she will push off on a 16-day raft trip through the canyon, carrying a handmade banner with Clover's name on it.
Bergmann went through Auburn schools and says she never heard Clover mentioned. She learned about her two years ago, from a friend in Arizona.
"A lot of women doing notable things just kind of slip through history," she said.
The botanist nobody mentioned
Elzada Urseba Clover was the seventh of nine children born to Sarah and Maynard Clover on a farm that Melissa L. Sevigny, in her 2023 book "Brave the Wild River," places it in a corner of Nebraska just west of the Missouri River. A death notice in the Dec. 5, 1980 issue of Ann Arbor Daily News lists Auburn as her birthplace. Clover finished a teacher training course at the normal school in Peru (now Peru State College), played basketball, belonged to the dramatic society and served as vice president of the science club, and took a high school teaching job to earn college tuition.
She went on to a doctorate at the University of Michigan and a career studying cacti after a move to Texas from Peru, Nebraska with her father peaked her interest in cacti and succulents. In the summer of 1938 she and graduate student Lois Jotter joined river runner Norman Nevills for a botanical survey of the Colorado, riding wooden boats Nevills and his father had built and never tested on that water.
Newspapers of the day covered the women as a stunt. Bergmann said Clover spent the trip trying to steer the conversation back to science.
"She kept saying, we're here to do this as botanists," Bergmann said.
They identified plants no one had recorded in the canyon before. Their survey is now treated as a baseline for measuring what Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona did to the canyon's flora. 
The Glen Canyon Dam, according the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is  a 710 foot dam on the Colorado River that provides water and hydroelectric power for much of the southwest and created Lake Powell.
A footnote on page 7
The connection came through Nebraska, as most of Bergmann's do.
She has volunteered at the Audubon center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon during crane season since 2012, served seven years on its stewardship board and now sits on the Audubon Great Plains board. A fellow board member from Kearney, a biology teacher who guided Grand Canyon trips for about 30 years, mentioned that some outfitters run the river in October. Bergmann, an Alaskan who had written off the canyon as a summer furnace, started paying attention.
Around the same time, a friend in Arizona picked up Sevigny's book. On page 7 she hit a line about a botanist born in Auburn, Nebraska. She mailed the book north.
"I read the story, and I'm just like, wow," Bergmann said. "This is amazing."
The road out of Nemaha County
Bergmann's own route was not much shorter.
Her parents were Julius Bergmann Jr. and Nadene Bergmann. Her father contracted polio in 1951, while her mother was pregnant with her, and spent roughly a year in the hospital, much of it at the veterans hospital in Lincoln. He lost the use of his arms and walked with a limp. He also, his daughter said, was relentlessly curious, and Sunday afternoons meant loading the family in the car and taking whichever road looked most mysterious.
The American Legion Auxiliary sent her to Cornhusker Girls State in 1968. She still belongs to the group. At Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville she was picked as an exchange student to Sweden, spent two months with host families and talked her parents into a third, giving up a summer of waiting tables at Arbor Manor, detasseling corn, building kitchen cabinets at Wood Carve and cleaning the Auburn schools.
"That really kind of opened Pandora's box for me," she said.
After earning a degree in secondary education she taught at a Bureau of Indian Affairs school at Fort Wingate, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. After later deciding teaching was not her calling, Bergmann took a fellowship to Arizona State University. Seven years of socioeconomic research on Western energy projects followed, then San Francisco, then Seattle, then a hydroelectric project in Alaska that would have been the largest dam in North America. The governor canceled it in 1986 but Bergmann stayed in Alaska.
She was hired on with the Interior Department studying how offshore oil and gas activity in the Arctic Ocean would affect bowhead whaling, sealing and polar bear hunting. "I'm being paid for this," she remembers thinking.
She retired in 2014 as the department's regional environmental officer for Alaska, one of eight in the country and, she said, one of two women. She led development of the wildlife protection guidelines still used to decide how birds, sea otters and marine mammals are handled after an oil spill, and pushed the federal response system to protect historic properties too, an idea she said nobody had raised before. She was Interior's on-scene coordinator for the Exxon Valdez spill.
She has been to more than 60 countries. She and her spouse John Duffy have also helped Hustai National Park in Mongolia, home to roughly 425 of the world's thousand or so Przewalski's horses, a species pulled back from extinction the way whooping cranes were. She got to name a foal there. She called him Julius after her father.
A banner at every camp
The October trip, booked through Arizona Raft Adventures, runs the full canyon with about 29 people in the group. Bergmann sent the outfitter's customary introduce-yourself note ahead of time and used it to tell the group about Elzada Clover.
The banner is a 4-H project at heart. She plans to hem a pocket at the top for a dowel and run coat hanger wire down the side so it stands out from the pole, and she intends to fly it at camp every night on the river.
“I will not be out chasing rapids. I am a longtime sea kayaker but not a swimmer,” Bergmann said drowning ranks low on her list of preferred exits. "If Elzada did it in this wooden boat that had never gone down the river, I can do it in a raft."

Back home, she has been working on the other half of the mission. She gave a hardcover copy of "Brave the Wild River" to Maxine Schatz at the Nemaha Valley Museum, and the Auburn Memorial Library has a copy, too. She wants a small display somewhere students will see it, and high school media specialist Julie Lambert is working on this with Bergmann in the future. The display will include a short write-up on the woman who grew up down the road.
She will also meet Sevigny in Flagstaff before the launch.
"We both grew up on farms outside of Auburn, and that was really important to both of us," Bergmann said. "But after school, we kind of took off and started exploring the wider world."

2026’s rainfall has been welcomed by most in southeast Nebraska, especially following the exceedingly dry year prior. All that rainwater needs to go somewhere, though, and at Hearts United for Animals (HUA) north of Auburn, the heavy storms in May proved to release too much rain too fast for the creeks and roads to handle. 
In the aftermath of the storms and seeing what erosion needed to be dealt with, the HUA board reached out to Doane University to partner for a second time. The first partnership involved the creation of a prosthetic leg for one of HUA’s dogs, Chappy. Chappy ended up preferring a three-legged life, but the partnership was still good experience for the Doane Engineering students to practice what they’ve learned. The junior engineering class then made a trip to HUA on Thursday, September 17 to make a project out of the rainwater erosion issues plaguing the shelter’s campus. 
Doane University Professor Cale Stolle and his EGR 360 Communications in Engineering Practice class brought their surveying equipment down to HUA around 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The class of 12 collected data, took photos and talked to the various staff members until 2 p.m. “The students are broken up into three teams,” Professor Stolle explained, “How they are divided is very similar to how engineering teams work in the real world and, while all their data will be used to determine the best course of action, there is something competition between them to see who can collect the most accurate data.” 
The information collected included latitude, longitude and elevation marks which will all be combined to create a map of the campus. Then, inputting the data into an engineering software, the class will be able to see the flow of rainwater and how to divert that flow and keep the roads and rest of the campus much drier during heavy showers. 
HUA of Auburn’s Executive Director Kelcie Keeling couldn’t be more excited for the partnership. “We’ve worked with Doane before, and are working on partnering with Purina as well to help improve the diets of our pets.” Keeling emphasized the fact that HUA is a non-profit organization and so any donations and partnerships like that with Doane are more than welcome. “The Wheelers maintained a really great campus here,” Keeling said, “We want to continue that legacy and make sure to address the issues that could and are presenting problems.” HUA hopes to improve the roads on the campus with more rock and gravel, as well as a solution to the runoff issues. And, while it was the HUA board who initiated the contact with Doane, Keeling herself is a graduate of the University, her degree being Mass Communications. “There’s something really special about working with my alma mater to solve these problems.” 
The timeline as to when dirt work will begin is still up in the air at this moment. While the Doane Engineering class is doing their best work to come up with a plan for the shelter, that proposal will still need to be validated by professional engineers and a contractor will need to be hired to do the work itself. 

Kramer Running as Write-in Candidate for County Commissioner
Kevin Kramer of Crab Orchard is running as a write-in candidate for commissioner in District 1. “I'm seeing too much money wasted by the county,” said Kramer. “The flock cameras are a violation of our first amendment rights,” he added. “Our law enforcement needs to be more accountable.”
Kramer grew up in the Crab Orchard area. He lived overseas for several years before returning to Crab Orchard 2 ½ years ago. “What I see isn't right,” Kramer said.
Kramer has an applied science degree and has operated his own business for 25 years. “I care about my community.”
According to Kramer, county taxes are an issue in this general election. “People shouldn't be punished for maintaining their homes with new roofs, windows, etc., as well as taking care of their property.”
Another issue is the county roads. Kramer wants all Johnson County roads to be safe. He would like to see some of the roads, such as the Lewiston, Elk Creek, Sterling and old Highway 50 be paved by the vote of the people. “I would like to see people speak out and attend these meetings so they would know what is going on in their city.”
In the future, Kramer would like to see the Commissioners' meetings changed to 6:30 p.m., so that people who work during the day can attend. Kramer also said he is against all state mandates because it forces people to do something.
Kramer would like to bring more manufacturers to Johnson County. “We are an agricultural area and we have too many people driving to Lincoln and Beatrice, when we have people who need jobs right here in Johnson County.”
According to Kramer, the niobium mine owned by NioCorp Developments should be able to take care of itself financially and be able to operate on its own. “NioCorp Developments should be paying Johnson County to be here as well as providing its own security,” said Kramer. “Johnson County must benefit from this mine.”
Addressing issues concerning flock cameras, Kramer would organize the city to get rid of the flock cameras because they are an invasion of first amendment rights.
Kramer has been attending Commissioners, City Council and JCC School Board meetings because he cares about the community. He encourages more people to get involved in attending these county, city and school meetings.
He knows Johnson County Central Schools needs a new elementary building and that improvements are also necessary at the JCC Middle School in Cook. However, due to the present economy, fuel prices and tax increases, it's a difficult situation that JCC Schools has to deal with.
Kramer emphasized that the Johnson County Commissioners must stop the waste as Johnson County is spending way too much. Kramer has operated his business in two countries for 25 years. “Johnson County wants to buy a $400,000 grader.” Kramer believes the county should be able to maintain the grader they already have. “If you can't fix it, you find someone who can fix it. I maintain my vehicles and trailers and make sure they are ready when I have to go.”
In addition to his business, Kevin’s Tree Service, Kramer also takes his camels to public events. “I enjoy running my camels, making kids happy and having fun,” Kramer concluded.

Borrenpohl Seeks Another Term as County Commissioner

“I'm running for Johnson County Commissioner (District 1) because I like serving our community and there's still important work to wrap up,” said David Borrenpohl of Tecumseh.
“We've made progress on restoring the Courthouse by getting the roof complete and replacing the second-floor HVAC system. After the 2026 election, my top priority is to finish what we started,” Borrenpohl said. ‘Using our remaining bond money and tax credits from the project, I want to fix the drainage and repair the foundation, especially on the southeast corner where it's starting to settle. I want to keep working hard for the people of Johnson County and make sure our community spaces are taken care of for the long haul.”
Borrenpohl has spent the last four years working as a county commissioner for District 1, including serving as Chairman of the Johnson County Commissioners for the past 1 ½ years. During his time in office, Borrenpohl has served on the County Ambulance Board and the Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging Board, as well as completing his Level 1 NACO County Board Member Certification.
“Having lived and farmed in Johnson County my entire life, I have a lifelong local perspective. Combined with four years of hands-on county leadership, I have the experience needed to keep serving our community well.”
Borrenpohl's top priority is getting the comprehensive study completed. It has been two years, and he feels the process has been taking too long. “In those two years, new issues have popped up that we need to address such as AI centers and Flock cameras,” Borrenpohl said. “We also currently have a moratorium on any new CFOs until new zoning is updated.”
When discussing some of the legislative bills and mandates that will impact Johnson County in the future, Borrenpohl said, “state funding for county bridge match has been zeroed out with current state budget shortfalls and that will impact our future bridge repair.
“With the NioCorp development, there is a potential to attract new businesses to Johnson County. As that project grows, it will bring workers, families, and visitors to our community. That opens up great opportunities for local business development – especially housing, new restaurants, retail, and local service companies. My goal as commissioner is to make sure our county is welcoming to these new investments.”
Borrenpohl also noted that NioCorp has been taking steps to support the County’s safety services as their project grows. “NioCorp agreed to cover the cost of a dedicated patrol vehicle, as well as the salary and training for a full-time Sheriff's deputy for three years. They've also purchased a repeater to support Emergency Management,” said Borrenpohl. “I appreciate that they are helping cover local safety expenses, so those costs don't fall on our local taxpayers.”
With the roads and bridges, Borrenpohl said his biggest concern is the lack of state funding assistance for county bridges. “Maintaining those bridges is a safety priority, but doing it without state support puts a burden on our local community. Keeping the budget in check will be a constant challenge, due to the rising costs of fuel, gravel, labor and equipment.”
Borrenpohl feels the need for the commissioners to be fiscally responsible with every taxpayer dollar while still protecting essential services. “As a farmer and landowner in this county, I feel the burden of taxes. That is why we, the Commissioners, try to find a balance of fiscal responsibility, while meeting the expectations of the citizens for services.”
Borrenpohl enjoys spending time with his family which includes his wife, Judi; their children, daughter, Chelsea and her husband Luke, son Zac, and daughter Marissa; along with the grandchildren, Wesley, Walker and Wren.
“I would like to thank Kathleen Nieveen and Terry Keebler for their combined years of service of over 63 years to Johnson County. Their knowledge will be missed, but I am confident that their deputies will be able to make a smooth transition,” Borrenpohl said.
“Looking ahead, we have been working on updating our dispatch area and making it more efficient and user-friendly. I would also like to take this opportunity to give high praise to our law enforcement and jail employees. They work hard every day to keep our community safe, and I have the utmost respect for their dedication to Johnson County.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve and I would appreciate your support in 2026,” Borrenpohl concluded.

Katy Billings
Age: 45
Occupation and employer: Nemaha County Wellness Center, co-manager and group fitness instructor
Years living in the Auburn Public Schools district: 45
Education: Auburn High School Class of 2000, Peru State College Class of 2007 Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice 
Previous elected or appointed public service, including boards, commissions and committees: Auburn City Council, Auburn Community Redevelopment Authority, Grow Auburn, Auburn Sports Boosters, Auburn Country Club Board, Friends of the Library, NADAA 
Introduce yourself to voters who may not know you. What is your connection to Auburn Public Schools, and what led you to run for the school board? 
My name is Katy Billings, and I'm a lifelong resident of Auburn, Nebraska.  My husband, John, and I have been married for almost 24 years, and we have three adult daughters who are 4th generation graduates of Auburn Public Schools.  In my spare time I like to exercise and read.  My connection to Auburn Public Schools started a long time ago.  The educational and extracurricular activities myself, my husband, and my daughters enjoyed during our time at APS has strengthened my connection to the District.  Public service runs in my blood, so deciding to run for District 29 School Board is simply a matter of me loving to serve the community I live in.  I enjoyed my 14 years on the Auburn City Council, and I'd be honored to serve the patrons of District 29 as a member of the School Board.  
What does a school board member actually do? Where does the board's authority end and the superintendent's begin, and how would you handle a disagreement with the administration? 
From my perspective a school board member is the vital link between three groups of people: 1 - the teachers, staff and administration, 2 - parents and students, and 3 - the taxpayers.  School board members are responsible for creating and implementing policy that recognizes and values the input from all 3 groups.  The school board and superintendent should utilize a "checks and balances" relationship.  Of course the school board holds a certain amount of authority over the superintendent, but as far as the "day to day" operations of the schools? That should always be left to the superintendent, administrators and teachers.  Disagreements with the superintendent and/or administration should first be addressed personally, and if the disagreement continues then I believe it should be addressed as an entire board.  
The board sets the tax levy and approves the district budget. What would you look at first, and how do you weigh property tax pressure and state aid on residents against what the district needs, especially considering a documented enrollment growth of 15% over the last six years? 
As a new member of the school board I would look over the last 10 years of the school's annual budget.  How does the growth in the budget compare to the growth in enrollment?  How does the growth in the budget compare to the growth and/or reduction in state aid?  It is imperative that school board members remain cognizant of the overall tax picture affecting its taxpayers.  Simplistically the school's budget is not that different from a home budget.  If my costs go up, I have to tighten my belt, and I may have to sacrifice "wants" for "needs."  A school has many obligations, but its first priority is to educate.  Classroom space and educational spaces that are safe are a priority when educating.   
Voters will decide a school bond issue on the same ballot. The district is targeting a levy of about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, roughly $150 a year for the owner of a $150,000 home, to add classrooms and make heating, cooling and window upgrades at Calvert Elementary, add a secure entry at the middle school, convert the current gymnasium into a multipurpose space and build a new gymnasium. Do you support it? Please state your position plainly and explain your reasoning. 
Will I support the school bond with my vote? Yes.  Do I think the bond could have been presented differently to taxpayers?  Also yes.  As I stated in my answer to the last question, a school's first obligation is to educate.  Adding classroom space to Calvert and making heating, cooling and window upgrades are imperative.  Adding a secure entry at the middle school is imperative.  From an overall current financial standpoint (property taxes mainly) in the state of Nebraska I believe the extracurricular parts of the bond could have waited (multi-purpose space and new gym) until a time when some sort of property tax relief had been recognized by taxpayers.  I believe we should capitalize on current and potential community partnerships when it comes to. multi-purpose, arts, music, theater and sport space.  I also believe bonds should be specifically targeted and not watered down versions just to "get something in there for everyone."     
Name one thing Auburn Public Schools is doing well that you would protect, and one thing you would change. 
Auburn Public Schools does a great job building community support and rapport. Events are well attended.  Students are getting a lot of opportunities to participate in the things they like.  Auburn Public Schools also has a fantastic group of teachers, para-professionals, administration, and staff.  That group of folks is key when it comes to community support because they are the face of the school everyday.  I do not feel that I have enough knowledge to comment on things that need to be changed.  I am not running for this position to "change" certain things.  I am running to collaborate with other board members, teachers, staff, administration, taxpayers and parents in order to ascertain if changes need to be made and how we go about those changes.  
When a parent, teacher or resident brings a concern directly to you, what would you do with it? How should the board hear from the community between elections? 
When a parent or teacher brings a concern directly to a board member the proper chain of command should be followed.  Parents and teachers should first reach out to the respective administrators in the buildings where the concerns may be.  If a resident brings a concern to the board member those concerns should be voiced to the administrative team at each school as well.  The administrators in each building should always be the first in line to address concerns.  When those concerns need to move beyond administration then they should move to the board and/or board committees.  
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
I appreciate you considering a vote for me for District 29 School Board.  I encourage you to reach out to me if you have questions, comments or concerns about any of my answers.  I firmly believe in positive forward moving in-person conversation to solve problems, create solutions and avoid conflict.  Go Bulldogs! 

 Ryan Jones (incumbent)
Age: 48
Occupation & Employer:  Vice President, First National Bank of Johnson
Years Living in Auburn Public Schools district:  15 years
BS in Business Marketing from Missouri Western State College
Previous elected or appointed public Service, including boards, commissions and committees:
District #29 Board of Education 3 Terms, serving in all board of education positions and committees.
District #29 committees/appointments: Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) board of education representative; NASB board of education delegate
Auburn Volunteer Fire Department 15 years of service, past trustee and current treasurer
Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board member and served as President 3 years
Schools of Banking Compliance and Operations School Advisory Board, 6 year term and President 1 year
Introduce yourself to voters who may not know you. What is your connection to Auburn Public Schools, and what led you to run for the school board?
We have had the privilege to call Auburn home for the past 15 years.  During that time, I have had the opportunity to become involved in numerous aspects of the area communities we serve, from coaching various youth teams to serving on the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department.  As a parent I am honored to be able to say that all three of my children have attended Auburn Public Schools.  Twelve years ago I was driven to make an impact for the future of all children, regardless of their needs and abilities, and that passion still drives me today. 
What does a school board member actually do? Where does the board's authority end and the superintendents begin, and how would you handle a disagreement with the administration?
As a school board member your main responsibility is oversight of the superintendent and creation and maintaining of policies which guide the overall function of the district, many of which are required from the state level.  We have worked diligently for the past six years to streamline this process and have created district specific policies that are indicated by a dash 29 in our policies.   Through these policies the board of education expects the superintendent to manage the district accordingly. Any disagreements that may arise that reach the board level are handled collaboratively amongst board members in a proper setting.
The board sets the tax levy and approves the district budget. What would you look at first, and how do you weigh property tax pressure and state aid on residents against what the district needs, especially considering a documented enrollment growth of 15% over the last six years?
The current model for funding schools is not equitable across all districts in the state. District #29 has the 2nd lowest assessed value per student in southeast Nebraska, putting more pressure on our local effort rate, which is the levy we approve.  The larger the increase in assessed values, which we don’t have control over, the larger the loss in state aid, creating more pressure at the local level. Special education funding continues to be cut, creating more costs for the district.  80 percent of our budget is people who have a direct impact on the students they serve.
Voters will decide a school bond issue on the same ballot. The district is targeting a levy of about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, roughly $150 a year for the owner of a $150,000 home, to add classrooms and make heating, cooling and window upgrades at Calvert Elementary, add a secure entry at the middle school, convert the current gymnasium into a multipurpose space and build a new gymnasium. Do you support it? Please state your position plainly and explain your reasoning.
I fully support this bond issue. Over the past couple of years, we have sought public input in open meetings, conducted 3rd party phone surveys of registered voters in our district, and looked at various options and data trends that are currently impacting our district. Growth trends, community input and data collection from the survey guided our decision making and how to move forward.  No bond election is taken lightly, but we made every attempt to scale the bond to meet our current and future students and staff needs in addition to listening to our patrons in the communities we serve.
Name one thing Auburn Public Schools is doing well that you would protect, and one thing you would change.
Our genuine belief in doing what is best for all kids.  It has been a priority for the last six years to create a learning environment that meets the needs of every student we are privileged to serve.  We have added opportunities for college bound students and those students who plan to enter the workforce after graduation.  The implementation of JAG, USA Jobs, and programs that allow for our students to have a trade certification at graduation has been a great addition to our district. While not a change, continued advocacy to state leaders must be a priority.
When a parent, teacher or resident brings a concern directly to you, what would you do with it? How should the board hear from the community between elections?
First and foremost, you listen to learn, address the situation if possible and don’t dictate the conversation. Some situations warrant a reminder of our policy that directs parents of the proper protocols for concerns at the building level all the way up to the superintendent.  As a board member we become the final say should a situation come to a hearing, so we are not informed of prior personnel discussions.  Living in a small community we get the opportunity to interact with our peers daily in addition to open board meetings and our contact information is provided.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
Having the privilege of serving the past twelve years on District #29’s board of education, I have learned that change is constant, adaptability is required, and the learning curve is substantial, taking several of the first years to gain an understanding of the position.  The past six years we have made great strides in the district from our financial position, adding educational opportunities and activities for all students, and tuition reimbursement for our staff to name a few. Given the opportunity to serve another term I will continue to make decisions on facts that support the entire district, especially our kids.

 Beth Kernes Krause (incumbent)
Age:  60
Occupation and employer:  Docent with Nebraska City Historical Society
Years living in the Auburn Public Schools district:  Most of my life
Education:  BA in French, UNL;  BS in Nuclear Engineering, Kansas State University
Previous elected or appointed public service, including boards, commissions and committees:
Besides District 29 Board of Education, I was appointed to the Keep Nebraska Beautiful Board of Directors and currently serve on the Julian Preservation Committee.
Introduce yourself to voters who may not know you. What is your connection to Auburn Public Schools, and what led you to run for the school board?  
I am a fifth generation Nemaha County, Nebraska, resident with deep ties to education.  My mother, my stepsons, my biological sons and I are all graduates of District 29.  I believe every student deserves a well-rounded, challenging education in a safe, caring environment.  Although I and many others grew up with strong support structures, many students do not and I want to help provide that for them.  This has been the main reason I have served for five terms and am running for my sixth.
What does a school board member actually do? Where does the board's authority end and the superintendent's begin, and how would you handle a disagreement with the administration?
Individual school board members cannot act independently;  authority rests with the board as a whole.  The board hires the superintendent to manage the district’s daily operation, while the board establishes policy, approves the budget and advocates for the district, its staff and its students.
The board sets the tax levy and approves the district budget. What would you look at first, and how do you weigh property tax pressure and state aid on residents against what the district needs, especially considering a documented enrollment growth of 15% over the last six years?
With many competing priorities, I begin by asking what will best serve students.  That often means investing in staff who provide support while providing a safe, secure learning environment.  Although maintenance and some curriculum or supply purchases, can be deferred, postponing them eventually requires the district to catch up – often at a higher cost.
Voters will decide a school bond issue on the same ballot. The district is targeting a levy of about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, roughly $150 a year for the owner of a $150,000 home, to add classrooms and make heating, cooling and window upgrades at Calvert Elementary, add a secure entry at the middle school, convert the current gymnasium into a multipurpose space and build a new gymnasium. Do you support it? Please state your position plainly and explain your reasoning.
I strongly support the bond issue and voted to place it before the voters.  Over the last several years, the board has repeatedly sought public input through surveys and meetings dedicated to community comment.  Board members have also visited other districts that have completed similar projects, including renovations and repurposed spaces.  Continued enrollment growth and evolving workforce and technology needs require investment in the future with flexible facilities that can support current and future educational programs.
Name one thing Auburn Public Schools is doing well that you would protect, and one thing you would change.
During my service on the District 29 Board of Education, we have made impressive progress updating district facilities despite tight budget constraints.   I would protect that commitment to responsible facility improvements.  While District 29 has made substantial improvement in student attendance, I would like to see a greater reduction in chronic absenteeism. 
When a parent, teacher or resident brings a concern directly to you, what would you do with it? How should the board hear from the community between elections?
I give every constituent’s concern careful consideration.  I ask what actions they have already taken and whether they want me to raise their issue, keeping their identity confidential unless the request otherwise.  If the appropriate building principal cannot provide the information they need, I encourage them to contact the superintendent.  Residents may also address the board during public comment at its regularly monthly meetings.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
It has been a privilege to serve on the District 29 Board for nearly 20 years and I am grateful for the trust voters have placed with me.  Our board is respected across Nebraska for focusing on providing students with the best possible education and opportunities rather than allowing personal disagreements to distract from that mission.  The board’s diverse experiences, viewpoints, professions and expertise provide strong leadership and a dynamic vision for the district.

Kevin Reiman
Age: 56
Occupation and employer: Retired School Administrator
Years living in the Auburn Public Schools district: 22 years
Education:
Master of Business Administration; 2013; Wayne State College; Wayne, Nebraska
Education Specialist in School Administration/Educational Leadership; 2010; Wayne State College; Wayne, Nebraska
Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Sciences; 2006; University of Ohio; Athens, Ohio
Secondary Principal’s Program; 2002; University of Nebraska; Lincoln, Nebraska
Master of Science in Counseling; 1998; Creighton University; Omaha, Nebraska
Bachelor of Science in Education; 1993; University of Nebraska; Lincoln, Nebraska
Previous elected or appointed public service, including boards, commissions and committees:
Local Board Member, Selective Service System
Board Member, Auburn Board of Public Works
Current President, Auburn Sports Boosters; 
Manager/Athletic Director, Auburn American Legion Baseball.
Former President, Lewiston Consolidated Schools Foundation
Former President, Southeast Nebraska PowerSchool Consortium
Introduce yourself to voters who may not know you. What is your connection to Auburn Public Schools, and what led you to run for the school board?
My name is Kevin Reiman, and Auburn Public Schools has been an important part of my life for many years. I previously served the district as a guidance counselor, assistant principal/activities director, secondary principal, and superintendent. After leaving Auburn, I served as superintendent at Weeping Water Public Schools until retiring from school administration in 2025.
My family and I now live in Auburn, and I remain actively involved in the community. I am running for the Board of Education because I want to continue serving Auburn and bring my experience in education to the board while keeping students at the center of its work.
What does a school board member actually do? Where does the board's authority end and the superintendent's begin, and how would you handle a disagreement with the administration?
A school board sets the district’s direction, establishes policy, adopts the budget, hires and evaluates the superintendent, and listens to the community it represents. The superintendent manages the district and its day-to-day operations. Individual board members do not run the schools; authority rests with the board acting as a whole. If I had questions or concerns, I would gather the facts, listen carefully to different perspectives, and discuss the issue respectfully with the superintendent and fellow board members. Once the board makes a decision, I would respect that decision while continuing to provide appropriate oversight and accountability.
The board sets the tax levy and approves the district budget. What would you look at first, and how do you weigh property tax pressure and state aid on residents against what the district needs, especially considering a documented enrollment growth of 15% over the last six years?
My first question would be: How does this budget support student learning? Having worked directly with school budgets, tax levies, state aid, staffing, and enrollment changes, I understand how closely those decisions are connected. I would look at enrollment trends, class sizes, staffing, academic programs, student achievement, and the resources teachers need. With enrollment growing, resources must keep pace with student needs. At the same time, the board has a responsibility to taxpayers. I would prioritize spending that supports students and classrooms while making decisions that are educationally sound and financially sustainable for the community.
Voters will decide a school bond issue on the same ballot. The district is targeting a levy of about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, roughly $150 a year for the owner of a $150,000 home, to add classrooms and make heating, cooling and window upgrades at Calvert Elementary, add a secure entry at the middle school, convert the current gymnasium into a multipurpose space and build a new gymnasium. Do you support it? Please state your position plainly and explain your reasoning.
I support the bond. I believe these projects directly support student learning and safety. Calvert needs additional classroom space, and adequate gym space is important so students can participate safely in physical education and activities. Converting the current gym addresses a long-standing need for dedicated fine arts space. I also appreciate that the proposal is measured. It is not about excessive facilities; it focuses on practical improvements that address enrollment, safety, instruction, and student opportunities while being mindful of the financial impact on taxpayers.
Name one thing Auburn Public Schools is doing well that you would protect, and one thing you would change.
One thing I would protect is the broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities Auburn provides students. Those opportunities allow students to discover their strengths, interests, and talents.
One thing I would change is removing unnecessary obstacles that keep teachers and administrators from their core responsibility—educating students. I believe Auburn’s teachers and administrators are among the district’s greatest assets. When their time is consumed by non-instructional tasks, paperwork, or responsibilities that can be handled more efficiently, that takes time away from students. We should continually look for ways to let educators focus more of their time and energy on teaching and learning.
When a parent, teacher or resident brings a concern directly to you, what would you do with it? How should the board hear from the community between elections?
I would listen carefully to any concern brought to me and make sure the person feels heard. I would then encourage them to work with the teacher, coach, administrator, or other staff member responsible for that area and follow the appropriate chain of command. A board member should not try to solve individual issues outside that process. I would also make sure fellow board members are aware of broader concerns or recurring themes. Between elections, the board should remain accessible, listen to residents, and provide meaningful opportunities for community input on the direction of the district.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
I bring many years of experience in public education, but I also understand that a board member’s role is different from that of a superintendent. I would approach board service by listening, asking questions, studying the information, and working collaboratively with the other board members and administration. My focus would remain on student learning and ensuring Auburn provides opportunities for every student to succeed. I care deeply about Auburn Public Schools and believe my experience can provide valuable perspective as the district addresses both the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Laura Osborne (incumbent)
Age: 55
Occupation and employer: Neighbor To Neighbor Program Director, 4 County Collaborative Coordinator, Independent Contractor/Consultant
Years living in the Auburn Public Schools district:  53
Education:  Auburn High School graduate 1989, Peru State College graduate 1993
Previous elected or appointed public service, including boards, commissions and committees:
Have served on the District 29 Board of Education since 2015, currently serve on the Region 5 Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, the Region 5 Opioid Settlement Funds Steering Committee, the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska Southeast Steering Committee and the Southeast Safe Kids childhood injury prevention coalition.
Introduce yourself to voters who may not know you. What is your connection to Auburn Public Schools, and what led you to run for the school board?  
I am a native of Auburn and graduated from both Auburn Public Schools and Peru State College.  I am running to continue my service on the District 29 BOE to help provide continuity of excellence in education for our students.  During my time so far on the Board, much has been accomplished to improve the district’s financial standing as well as the quality of education provided, and I want to see that work completed.
What does a school board member actually do? Where does the board's authority end and the superintendent's begin, and how would you handle a disagreement with the administration?  
The role of a school board member is to be one of a body of six.  No individual board member has authority by themselves.  The board directly supervises only one district employee – the superintendent.  The work of a board member is defined by the boundaries established in laws, including laws that are passed with each session of our Nebraska Unicameral.  If, as a Board member, I have a disagreement with the school administration, I discuss it with fellow Board members and the superintendent to seek accurate information and, when appropriate, a satisfactory resolution.  
The board sets the tax levy and approves the district budget. What would you look at first, and how do you weigh property tax pressure and state aid on residents against what the district needs, especially considering a documented enrollment growth of 15% over the last six years?  
As a current member of the BOE, I have always kept in mind how much the school levy is costing tax payers in our district.  As an equalized school district, our funding is not stable with State Aid being raised and lowered dramatically on a regular basis.  Those fluctuations are reflected in our levy.  Funding is definitely a challenge year-to-year, especially when we have seen a steady increase in enrollment along with the effects of inflation.
Voters will decide a school bond issue on the same ballot. The district is targeting a levy of about 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, roughly $150 a year for the owner of a $150,000 home, to add classrooms and make heating, cooling and window upgrades at Calvert Elementary, add a secure entry at the middle school, convert the current gymnasium into a multipurpose space and build a new gymnasium. Do you support it? Please state your position plainly and explain your reasoning.  
As a current member of the BOE, the State Legislature passed a law which precludes me from answering this question as fully as I would like to.  It is my private, individual, personal opinion to support the bond and to vote in favor of it.  
Name one thing Auburn Public Schools is doing well that you would protect, and one thing you would change.  
We are handling funding as well as we are able within the confines of being an equalized district, while at the same time continuing to provide excellence in education to our students as documented through our standardized test results and graduation rates.  We strive to offer students exposure to a wide variety of potential career paths through classes and activities.  Each school year has its own unique needs and we strive each year to address them in a productive manner.  Continuing to improve the High Ability Learners (HAL) Program is something I believe we should strive to do.
When a parent, teacher or resident brings a concern directly to you, what would you do with it? How should the board hear from the community between elections?  
How I handle concerns depends very much upon the nature of the concern.  I do ask people to first follow the “chain of command”, so to speak, within the district and work first with the teacher or staff member, then the building administrator, then the superintendent before bringing a concern to me requesting action.  Our staff and administration, including our superintendent, work to resolve issues on a regular basis.  On the occasion where concerns are addressed to the BOE, I work with fellow Board members to discuss root causes of problems and seek optimal solutions as appropriate.  Between elections, the community can always reach out to a Board member and the opportunity to address the Board during the Public Comment section of our Board meetings is offered at every BOE meeting.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?  
The job of being a BOE member is very different than I had thought before joining the Board.  The laws being passed on a regular basis from the State Unicameral continues to regularly erode local control, and places Board members in a position where we are required to comply with state law while not being able to make many decisions at the local level.  

“Viva Las Vegas” was this year's Homecoming theme at Johnson County Central Schools where Erik Prado and Haylee Trew were crowned Homecoming King and Queen on Friday night, September 18 in a coronation ceremony following the Thunderbirds' football game against the Conestoga Cougars.

Queen Haylee Trew is the daughter of Terry and Christa Trew of Tecumseh. She participates in golf and wrestling dedicating much of her high school career to wrestling. Haylee qualified for the Nebraska state wrestling tournament all three years of high school. She earned state runner-up honors her sophomore year and currently holds the state title in the 100-pound weight class for girls wrestling. Last year Haylee was recognized for reaching 100 career pins. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, spending time with friends and reading. Haylee is currently employed at the El Mariachi restaurant in Tecumseh and is working toward attaining her CNA license.

King Erik Prado is the son of Carlos and Elisa Prado of Tecumseh. Erik participates in wrestling and has earned ECNC First Team honors for the past three years. Erik is a three-time state medalist, becoming a state wrestling champion this past season. He also broke the season win record with 49 wins and ranks in the top three for pins in a season with 27. Beyond athletics, Erik is a member of FBLA and as been on the honor roll. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and playing pickleball, where he uses his strategic thinking and competitive spirit. During the summer, Erik continues off-season wrestling and is a three-time national qualifier. He is a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh and works at El Mariachi restaurant in Tecumseh.

This year's crown-bearers were Riley Borrenpohl, daughter of Billy and Michelle Borrenpohl of Tecumseh, and Burke Kuhl, son of Taylor Kuhl and Sara Kuhl of Tecumseh. The crown-bearers were escorted by JCC's 2025 Homecoming King and Queen, Wesley Swanson and Saige Rother.

Other Queen candidates included Nevaeh Brown, granddaughter of Evellen Brown of Tecumseh, Harley Reyes, daughter of Kendra Gottula and Zach Gottula, Molly Weber, daughter of Matt and Sarah Weber of Tecumseh, and Amelia Britt, daughter of Brian and Ann Britt of Tecumseh.

Other King candidates included AJ Rautenbach, son of Andre and Dana Rautenbach of Tecumseh, Brayden Beethe, son of Ben Beethe of Steinauer and Amber Baehr of Cook, Harrison Bacon, son of Marsha Bacon of Cook and the late Rich Bacon, Regan Thies, son of Melissa Campbell and Bob Thies of Elk Creek.

Class attendants include: Freshmen: Brynn Weber, daughter of Sarah and Matt Weber of Tecumseh; Saul Cabrales-Pena, son of Benjamin Cabrales and Roxanna Pena.

Sophomores: Faith Tex-Sherman, daughter of Jessica Tex and Jason Sherman; Rayhan Flores Rentas, son of Bryan Flores and Ashley Rentas.

Juniors: Sofia Golda, daughter of Mike and Michelle Hamilton; Anthony Brooks, son of Jessica Wagner.

The Class IV felony carries a maximum penalty in Nebraska of two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision, a $10,000 fine, or a combination of those penalties.

The petition

The charges stem from a petition Powell filed in July 2025 to recall Auburn Mayor Chris Erickson. In the petition’s statement of reasons, Powell wrote: “I am petitioning to recall the mayor for abusing his office, ineffective leadership, and appointing someone with a conflict of interest who profits from the city. He shuts down community questions, cuts off residents, and prevents open dialogue with the council. His dictatorial approach has eroded community trust and collaboration. Inequality and unfair treatment persist based on identity and status.”

Powell is charged as the petitioner and Curttright as a supporter. The two were the only circulators who signed affidavits on petition sheets attesting they had witnessed the signatures.

A recall short on signatures Nemaha County Clerk and Election Commissioner Diane Johnson said in the Observer’s Oct. 2, 2025 issue that the recall failed to gather enough valid signatures. In total, 379 signatures were submitted, Johnson said. Of those, 152 were valid and 227 were disqualified because they appeared on petitions the county could not validate. A total of 301 valid signatures were needed to meet the 35% threshold for a successful recall.

“It is the legal duty and obligation of the Nemaha County Clerk as the Election Commissioner to determine validity and sufficiency of all submitted recall petitions pursuant to Nebraska State Statute Section 32-631,” Johnson said. “Due to material irregularities by the circulators in the circulation of the 21 (two petitions were never circulated) circulated recall petitions submitted for the mayor of the city of Auburn, Nebraska, the county clerk was not able to consider or validate 12 of the 21 circulated petitions, resulting in an insufficient number of signatures to hold a recall election.”

The affidavit each circulator is required to sign on recall petitions states: “(Name of circulator) being first duly sworn, deposes and says that he or she is the circulator of this petition containing (number of signatures) signatures, that he or she is at least eighteen years of age, that each person whose name appears on the petition personally signed the petition in the presence of the affiant, that the date to the left of each signature is the correct date on which the signature was affixed to the petition and that the date was personally affixed by the person signing such petition, that the affiant believes that each signer has written his or her name, street and number or voting precinct, and city, village, or post office address correctly, that the affiant believes that each signer was qualified to sign the petition, and that the affiant stated to each signer the object of the petition as printed on the petition before he or she affixed his or her signature to the petition.”

The investigation

Johnson referred the irregularities to the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office.

“We got a request to investigate while the county clerk was validating signatures in September 2025,” Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman said. “The Sheriff’s Office did the preliminary investigation as directed by state statute and handed it to the Nebraska State Patrol, and ultimately the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office brought the charge.”

A Nemaha County Sheriff’s deputy involved in the investigation said it had nothing to do with Mayor Erickson and was based entirely on process and errors during the circulation of the petitions.

Response from the accused 

Curttright, disputed the allegations in a phone interview.

“There was no fraud. This is all being stirred up by our mayor,” he said.

Curttright declined to comment further. Powell offered no comment at the advice of her attorney, Sandy Pollack of Pollack & Ball LLC in Lincoln.

What’s next

Curttright made his first appearance in Nemaha County Court on Sept. 22, after this issue went to press. A county court clerk said Powell has requested a continuance until Nov. 3.

It will be at the NARD annual conference in Kearney. She represents the Natural Resources District (NRD) Employee category.

“I was fairly well surprised,” said Jane Kuhl. “It was very humbling. I’ve always worked with a very good crew and board of directors who have always made it easy for me to want to go to work every day.”

Kuhl has helped the NNRD navigate leadership transitions and changing priorities while preserving institutional knowledge and providing continuity. Her professionalism, dependability and willingness to help have made her a valuable resource to the district, its partners and the communities

KUHL HALL OF FAME ties it serves. Kuhl has served in several roles at the NNRD office in Tecumseh during her 43 years of employment. These roles include being secretary, information and education coordinator, as well as taking on administrative duties. For about three years, Jane has served as the NNRD’s assistant manager. She has assumed increasing responsibilities while becoming a trusted source of knowledge and guidance for staff and directors.

When it comes to accomplishments, Kuhl said she didn’t accomplish anything major on her own. “It was all of us (NNRD staff members) working on the projects together.”

When Kuhl first started working for the NNRD in the 1980s, most of the projects consisted of flood control and tree plantings. “I have helped with some tree plantings as well,” said Kuhl. As time moved forward, the NNRD projects involved water quality and quantity projects in addition to maintaining the flood control projects constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. Kuhl has also worked on cost-share projects for tree plantings the NNRD was offering as well as overseeing the NRD annual budgets and audits. “We value our water resources and closing abandoned wells can be a dangerous task,” said Kuhl. The NNRD offers cost-share benefits for closing abandoned wells for anyone interested.

When Jane started working for the NNRD office, the Iron Horse recreational area had just opened and construction work for Kirkman’s Cove recreational area had just started. Kuhl said she has always liked the Iron Horse recreational area because of its quiet and picturesque atmosphere.

Kuhl was instrumental in establishing the Nebraska Envirothon program through the NNRD office. Nebraska Envirothon is a competition designed for high school students (9-12th grades) to test their knowledge about the environment. Five-member teams compete on the regional level in six areas of environmental studies: soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range and a current environmental issue (special topic). For the state competition an oral presentation on a topic selected by the National Conservation Foundation-Envirothon Committee is added to the testing stations.

“I enjoyed being able to work with area youth and challenge them to think bigger when it comes to our natural resources,” said Jane. She added that working with the kids participating in the Envirothon program has been one of her most rewarding experiences. She also enjoyed watching the kids as they gathered around to learn about tree planting programs presented by the NNRD in observance of Arbor Day.

According to Jane, the most challenging experience is being able to help the public find the answers to their questions and concerns relating to the natural environment.

Kuhl said she started attending the NNRD monthly meetings held on Thursday nights in about 1990. “From then on I attended almost every one of them.”

Kuhl’s dedication to conservation extends beyond her professional life. She and her husband, Gary, operate a family farm, maintaining a close connection to the land she has spent her career helping protect.

“Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts involve many dedicated individuals working to protect our natural resources. We’re proud to recognize these outstanding individuals for the significant improvements they’ve made to our natural resources, and the NRD Hall of Fame is one small way to thank them,” said Ryan Reuter, NARD president.

Annually, representatives of Nebraska’s NRDs nominate and vote for individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the state’s natural resources. Hall of Fame categories include an NRD director, employee and supporter.

Tuesday, Sept. 29: Tunes Tuesday, wear your favorite

concert artist or jersey apparel.

Wednesday, Sept. 30: Dynamic Duo, find someone and make a duo and match that day.

Thursday, Oct. 1: Throwback Thursday, old Johnson-Brock apparel or anything decade throwback.

Friday, Oct. 2: Spirit Day, Johnson-Brock apparel, red, white and black.

Other highlights: Sept. 30: Pep rally 3:15 p.m. at new gymnasium.

Oct. 2: Parade 3:15 p.m. on Main Street. The Eagles football team plays Thayer Central at 7 p.m. Coronation follows the game on the football field. Dance follows in the old gymnasium.

On Oct. 2 Bulldog football will take on Milford at 6 p.m. with homecoming royalty crowned at halftime.

Enforcer: Slang for a person who maintains order and defends a star individual against a hatchetman.

Henry Clay Frick was Andrew Carnegie’s hatchetman. Together, they forged a steel empire in the mid-to-late 19th century, though Frick eventually went from Carnegie’s business thug to his bitter enemy.

Abraham Lincoln once famously noted: “Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Henry Clay Frick was a man who wielded power with order and violence. While at the helm of Carnegie Steel as well as his own company, Frick undermined workers’ attempts to organize with threats and violence.

That hostility came to a bloody head during the famous Homestead Strike of 1892 at Carnegie Steel’s primary facility in Homestead, Pennsylvania. On July 6, 1892, Frick answered the striking workers by sending 300 armed agents up the river on barges to break the strike and retake the mill. The resulting battle turned into open warfare, leaving 10 dead, hundreds injured, and Frick a marked man.

Two weeks after that murderous melee, an anarchist named Alexander Berkman slipped into Carnegie Steel’s downtown Pittsburgh headquarters with assassination on his mind. Frick saw Berkman approaching his desk, but before he could fully react, Berkman pulled out a revolver and shot Frick twice in the neck. As colleagues rushed in to tackle the shooter, Berkman managed to stab Frick in the leg several times with a dagger before being wrestled to the floor.

Wounded badly but determined not to show vulnerability, Frick was back at work within a week.

The assassination attempt made national headlines, but it ended up backfiring on the labor movement. Public support for the striking workers waned, the union collapsed, and Berkman was sentenced to 22 years in Pittsburgh’s Western Penitentiary.

Meanwhile, railroads were being built through the United States — including major transcontinental routes like the Union Pacific — creating an insatiable demand for steel rails.

Most of those rails flowed directly out of the massive mills in and around Pittsburgh, creating an elite group of very wealthy men.

These gents loved to gather at exclusive retreats to drink and boast to one another. One of their favorites was the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club on Lake Conemaugh. The club owned the surrounding land as well as the large, earthen South Fork Dam that held back the Conemaugh River to create the lake.

Why is that of interest? Because on May 31, 1889, after years of poor maintenance and neglect by its wealthy owners, the dam catastrophically failed. In an instant, 14.3 million tons of water—a torrent equivalent to the flow of the Mississippi River— burst into the valley below.

Fourteen miles downstream sat the bustling town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Within minutes, a wall of water and debris slammed into the community, killing 2,208 people and sweeping away 1,600 homes. To this day, the Johnstown Flood remains the worst flash flood disaster in American history.

As you might expect, public outrage exploded, and lawsuits mounted against the powerful members of the club. Yet, after years of legal wrangling, the wealthy club members were held completely blameless in court — a result that surprised almost no one.

Local poet’s Isaac G. Reed’s sad, untitled lament said best: Many thousand human lives, Butchered husbands, slaughtered wives, Mangled daughters, bleeding sons, Hosts of martyred, little ones. Sent to heaven before their time; Lovers burned And sweethearts drowned, Darlings lost but never found! All the horrors that hell could wish— Such was the price that Was paid for—Fish! In the end, Frick and a few others helped build a new dam, while years later, Andrew Carnegie gave Johnstown a new library.

These men of incredible financial success, achieved at all costs, went on in later life to reflect on and perhaps regret their ruthless and relentless pursuit of wealth.

Throughout his adult life, Henry Clay Frick was an avid art collector who adored the Old Masters. By his death in 1919, he had amassed one of the world’s finest private art collections. He bequeathed his grand Manhattan mansion and its entire artistic treasure trove to the public, creating the renowned Frick Collection in New York City for generations to enjoy.

Andrew Carnegie, meanwhile, went on to spend his riches building libraries free for the public all around the United States and the world. His enduring gift was building 2,509 free public libraries worldwide, including 1,689 in the United States and 69 right here in Nebraska (26 of which are still active today!).

In St. Joseph, Missouri, two Carnegie libraries are still operating smoothly. When I asked Librarian Jenny Ellis — whose historic building was designed by renowned turn-of-the-century architect Edmond Eckels — what it was like dealing with a foundation established over a century ago, she gave a glowing response.

“Great!” she said. “In fact, in celebration of America’s 250th birthday, they gave every active Carnegie library a $10,000 grant.”

“You’re kidding!” I stammered. “What kind of stipulations or usage requirements are attached?”

“None,” she smiled. “We can use it however we see fit.”

Even from beyond the grave, these complicated men continue to give back. The Frick Collection in New York continues to thrive, and Carnegie libraries across the country continue to help all of us stay curious and reach our own American dream.