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Johnson, Nemaha County Candidates on November 3 Ballot

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:53:00 -0500

Nemaha and Johnson Counties, Nebraska

November 3, 2026

Statewide Races

(Appears on both Nemaha and Johnson County ballots)

U.S. Senate (Six Year Term)

Vote for ONE

Pete Ricketts, Republican
Mike Marvin, Legal Marijuana NOW
Robin Richards, Nebraska Working People
Chuck Conboy, America First
Dan Osborn, By Petition

U.S. House - District 3 (Two Year Term)

Vote for ONE

Adrian Smith, Republican
Becky Kelly Stille, Democratic
David J. Else, Legal Marijuana NOW
Macey Budke, Nebraska Working People
Mark Cohen, By Petition

Governor and Lt. Governor

Vote for ONE

Jim Pillen (Governor) / Joe Kelly (Lt. Governor), Republican
Lynne Walz (Governor) / Ben Steffen (Lt. Governor), Democratic
Rick Beard (Governor) / Keenya Barnes (Lt. Governor), Legal Marijuana NOW
Brett Lindstrom (Governor) / Michael Picard (Lt. Governor), America First

Secretary of State

Vote for ONE

Scott Petersen, Republican
Sarah J. Slattery, Democratic
Paul Rumbaugh, Nebraska Working People
Bob Krist, America First

State Treasurer

Vote for ONE

Joey Spellerberg, Republican
Daniel Ebers, Democratic

Attorney General

Vote for ONE

Mike Hilgers, Republican
Jocelyn Brasher, Democratic

Auditor of Public Accounts

Vote for ONE

Mike Foley, Republican
John Knight, America First

Judge Retention - Nonpartisan

Judge of Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court - Six Year Term

Shall Judge Dirk V. Block be retained in office? Yes / No
Shall Judge Thomas E. Stine be retained in office? Yes / No

Judge of District Court - District 1 - Six Year Term

Shall Judge Ricky A. Schreiner be retained in office? Yes / No
Shall Judge Julie D. Smith be retained in office? Yes / No
Shall Judge David J. A. Bargen be retained in office? Yes / No

Judge of County Court - District 1 - Six Year Term

Shall Judge Richard R. Smith be retained in office? Yes / No

Nemaha County Races

County Assessor

Vote for ONE

Mallory A. Lempka, Republican

County Attorney

Vote for ONE

Seth W. Hawkins, Republican

County Clerk

Vote for ONE

Diane L. Johnson, Republican

County Treasurer

Vote for ONE

Jana J. Gerdes, Republican

County Surveyor

Vote for ONE

Jeff Boden, Republican

County Commissioner - District 1

Vote for ONE

Michael K. Hall, Republican

County Commissioner - District 3

Vote for ONE

Kim Buchmeier, Republican

County Sheriff

Vote for ONE

Brent Lottman, Republican

City and Village Elections

City of Auburn

Mayor Vote for ONE

Stephanie Holmes
Chris Erickson

Ward 1 - City Council Vote for ONE

Logan C. Merz
Shawn Clark

Ward 2 - City Council Vote for ONE

Brian Lavigne

Ward 3 - City Council Vote for ONE

Nathan R. Seitz
Dawna Hall

Airport Authority - Six Year Term Vote for ONE

Kendall Neiman
Cody Bradley

City of Peru

At Large Vote for up to TWO

Philip Wemhoff
Brent Brown

Village of Brock

Village Board of Trustee Vote for up to TWO

Kristal Jeanneret
Bonnie Haith

Village of Brownville

Village Board of Trustee Vote for up to THREE

Jill Lokke
Adam Hunt
Kelly S. Selko

Village of Johnson

Village Board of Trustee Vote for up to TWO

Richard L. Meyer
Lonnie R. Swanson

Village of Julian

Village Board of Trustee Vote for up to TWO

Ralph Krause

Village of Nemaha

Village Board of Trustee Vote for up to TWO

Susan Koso
Kim Tanner

Johnson County Races

County Clerk

Vote for ONE

Nicole Beck, Republican

County Treasurer

Vote for ONE

Nadine Beethe, Republican

County Assessor

Vote for ONE

Sara Kuhl, Republican

County Attorney

Vote for ONE

Benjamin T. Beethe, Republican

County Sheriff

Vote for ONE

Lynn Lyon, Republican

County Commissioner - District 1

Vote for ONE

David Borrenpohl, Republican

County Commissioner - District 3

Vote for ONE

Channing A. Doeden, Republican
Kale Heusman, Democratic

City of Tecumseh

Mayor Vote for ONE

Jesse R. Grof

Ward 1 - City Council Vote for ONE

Lance C. Beethe

Ward 2 - City Council Vote for ONE

Alicia L. Brommer

Ward 3 - City Council Vote for ONE

Tyler Speckmann

Airport Authority - Six Year Term Vote for up to TWO

Stephen A. Johnson
Steven J. Mercure

Village of Cook

Village Board Member Vote for up to THREE

Jennifer Deppe
Jeanene French
Sarah R. Sherman

Village of Elk Creek

Village Board Member Vote for up to TWO

Kirk Bartels
Greg Bates
Ashley Peters

Village of Crab Orchard

Village Board Member Vote for up to THREE

Scott Garman
Michelle Ahola
Richard Van Wallace
Kevin Kramer

Village of Sterling

Village Board Member Vote for up to THREE

Tom Nieveen
Steve Eickhoff
Marissa Lempka

Special Districts and Nonpartisan Offices

(Both counties)

Southeast Community College

For Board of Governors - District 2 Vote for ONE

Brandon Gunther

Nemaha Natural Resources District

For Board of Directors - Subdistrict 7: Eric Wilke For Board of Directors - Subdistrict 8: Dick James For Board of Directors - At Large: Tracy Ensor

Johnson County Natural Resources District

For Board of Directors Subdistrict 02: Russel Moss For Board of Directors Subdistrict 06: J. Duane Sugden For Board of Directors Subdistrict 07: Eric Wilke For Board of Directors At Large: Tracy Ensor

Educational Service Units

ESU No. 4 - District 5: Mary L. Stewart Lyon ESU No. 4 - District 9: Faye Allison Hayes ESU No. 5 - District 5: Carla J. Loemker

School Board Elections

Related Coverage:

Multiple Topics Addressed At APS Board of Education Candidate Conversations

Nemaha County

School District 23 (Johnson-Brock) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Chester Bohling
Mitch Neddenriep

School District 29 (Auburn Public Schools) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Ryan M. Jones
Beth Kernes Krause
Laura M. Osborne
Kevin Reiman
Katy Billings

School District 50 (Johnson County Central) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Kim Wellensiek
Don Gadeken
Scott D. Straka
Elisa Prado

School District 56 (Falls City Public Schools) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Cassondra A. Goff
Teresa Olberding
Anthony S. Johansen

School District 70 (HTRS) Board Member (Vote for up to FOUR)

Robert Elson
Brent B. Shanholtz

School District 111 (Nebraska City Public Schools) Board Member (Vote for up to FOUR)

Robert Elson
Brent B. Shanholtz

Johnson County

School District 23 (Johnson-Brock) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Chester Bohling
Mitch Neddenriep

School District 27 (Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Edward J. Zastera
Justin Stark
Ana Damme
Kathryn Szczepaniak
Aaron Lessmann

School District 33 (Sterling) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Megan Buckley
Mark Horstman
McKenzie Saathoff

School District 34 (Freeman) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Kyle Dorn
Shawn E. Mencl
Theron Troxel
Jordan N. Freeman

School District 50 (Johnson County Central) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Kim Wellensiek
Don Gadeken
Scott D. Straka
Elisa Prado

School District 69 (Lewiston) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

RaeLynn Bredemeier
Aaron Rule
Sharon L. Mencl

School District 70 (HTRS) Board Member (Vote for up to THREE)

Neal A. Kanel
Heath Finke
David A. Mezger
Ashley Shupp

School Bond Elections

Nemaha County

Projects include:

Classroom addition and renovations to Calvert Elementary School
New middle school entryway addition and related improvements to address safety and security infrastructure concerns
New physical education/gymnasium addition to the High School
Renovations to convert the existing High School gymnasium to a multi-use facility, including performing arts and other activities
Deferred maintenance renovations and improvements to address safety, security, and environmental concerns in the District's existing school buildings and facilities
Necessary equipment and apparatus for such school buildings, facilities, renovations, and improvements

Johnson County School District 0050 (Johnson County Central Public Schools) Principal amount not to exceed: $35,000,000

Purpose: Construction and acquisition of pre-kindergarten to 8th grade facilities for the District, and necessary furniture, equipment and apparatus for such facilities.

Johnson County

Johnson County School District 0050 (Johnson County Central Public Schools) Principal amount not to exceed: $35,000,000

Purpose: Construction and acquisition of pre-kindergarten to 8th grade facilities for the District, and necessary furniture, equipment and apparatus for such facilities.

Gage County School District 0034 (Freeman Public Schools) Principal amount not to exceed: $13,995,000

Projects include:

Construction of new building on the District's existing campus that will include career and trades education and additional classroom areas
Renovations of portions of the existing school building, including expansion of the current kitchen and repurposing certain classrooms and areas in connection with the construction of the new building
Purchasing necessary equipment, furniture and apparatus for the new building and renovations
Related site improvements

Initiatives and Constitutional Amendments

(Appears on both Nemaha and Johnson County ballots)

Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 1

A vote FOR will amend the state constitution to increase the term limit for state legislators from two consecutive four-year terms (eight years) to three consecutive four-year terms (12 years).

A vote AGAINST will not amend the Nebraska Constitution, so the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms will remain in effect. State legislators will continue to be ineligible for office in the Legislature for four years after serving two consecutive terms.

Vote: For / Against

Initiative Measure 440

A vote "FOR" will amend the Nebraska Constitution to authorize the enactment of laws to allow persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska.

A vote "AGAINST" means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner.

Initiative Measure 441

A vote "FOR" will enact statutes allowing persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska or the operator's platform provider, and regulating such sports wagers.

A vote "AGAINST" means no such statutes will be enacted.

Shall statutes be enacted that: (1) Allow persons located within Nebraska to place sports wagers through an Internet-based platform when offered by an authorized gaming operator conducting games of chance within a licensed racetrack enclosure in Nebraska or the operator's platform provider; and (2) Regulate such sports wagers?

Initiative Measure 442

A vote "FOR" will amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide: (1) Schools must expressly designate each athletic team or sport as one of the following based on biological sex: (a) Males, men, or boys; (b) females, women, or girls; or (c) coed or mixed; and (2) Athletic teams or sports designated for females, women, or girls shall not be open to students of the male sex. The amendment would apply to all athletic teams or sports sponsored by public schools or postsecondary educational institutions, and private schools or educational institutions whose athletic teams or sports compete against public schools or institutions.

A vote "AGAINST" means the Nebraska Constitution will not be amended in this manner.

Science Meets Fall Fun in Tecumseh

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:07:00 -0500

On Monday October 5th, fall fun and hands-on science came together through a Kids Club creative collaboration between Johnson County Extension and Tecumseh Parks and Recreation at the local Tecumseh Park.
Angela Johnson with Johnson County Extension and Maddie Moran Kennedy with Tecumseh Parks and Rec teamed up to give local youth an opportunity to explore science through fun, messy, fall themed activities.
Working in teams, the kids put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work as they designed their own real pumpkin volcanoes. Using pumpkins, baking soda, dish soap, water, food coloring, and vinegar, they created exciting eruptions while learning about the science behind the reaction.
The fun continued with another hands-on experiment as the youth made pumpkin pulp slime. The activity gave them a chance to explore texture, chemistry, the importance of measuring, and creativity while getting a little messy along the way.
The collaboration was a great example of how learning can come in all shapes and styles. By combing science with seasonal activities, the youth were able to work together, experiment, ask questions, and most importantly – have fun!
Johnson County Extension and Tecumseh Parks and Rec are excited to continue creating opportunities that encourage local youth to learn, explore, and discover through hands-on experiences.
The next session is scheduled for Monday November 16 at the Tecumseh Community Building from 1-3 p.m. Additional information will be posted in the coming weeks to the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionJohnsonCounty

Nemaha County Hospital CFO Stacy Taylor Named to Becker’s 2026 List of Rural Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Nemaha County Hospital Chief Financial Officer Stacy Taylor has been named to Becker’s Healthcare’s 2026 list of “Rural Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know.”
The annual list from the national health care trade publication recognizes 41 financial leaders at rural hospitals and health systems. Becker’s accepted nominations, and its editorial team selected the honorees. Hospitals cannot pay for a spot on the list, according to Nemaha County Hospital.
This is the second time Taylor has been recognized. She was one of 29 CFOs named to the 2023 list according to a 2023 release from the hospital.
“Stacy’s leadership and dedication have a meaningful impact on Nemaha County Hospital and the communities we serve,” said Marty Fattig, the hospital’s CEO. “She understands that strong financial stewardship is about more than numbers. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that help ensure we can continue providing the services, care and resources our community depends on.”
Becker’s said this year’s honorees help their hospitals preserve services, modernize facilities and keep care available in rural communities through planning and careful use of resources.
“Nemaha County Hospital is fortunate to have Stacy as part of our leadership team,” said Codi Sailors, the hospital’s chief human resource officer. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition and are grateful for everything she does to help move NCH forward.”
Nemaha County Hospital is a county-owned critical access hospital in Auburn.
The full list is available at beckershospitalreview.com.

Candidates for Village Board of Elk Creek

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Peters Wants to Create Opportunities for Growth in Elk Creek

“I decided to run for this office because I want to help make a difference in our little Village of Elk Creek,” said Ashley Peters, who is running as a candidate for the Village Board in the November 3 General Election.
“We had a benefit for our daughter as she was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease, however, we received the best gift of all from this community,” said Peters. “The community outdone itself by pulling together numerous donations and uncountable support for a family in this community! I want to continue to build the foundation of trust, support and purpose for the Village and Elk Creek community and help make it stronger than ever!”
“We are all familiar with NioCorp, we see the construction work happening on Highway 50. Let's prepare for this opportunity of growth in and around this charming, cozy village!” Peters said.
Ashley would like to address the clean-up of abandoned houses and buildings in Elk Creek, although she understands there is a cost. She would address these issues by seeking out grants for cleaning up villages, fixing up houses and getting creative in searching for ways that are cost-effective to bring opportunity of growth.
According to Peters, the most rewarding experience would be to see growth and options of living in the Elk Creek community. Having more families come to Elk Creek to live and grow. “We have a beautiful park, small but mighty. And full of memories waiting to be made,” said Ashley. “We have places of work within a 20 mile radius with glorious review and demand. Johnson County is a wonderful rural area to raise a family.”
“I believe the most challenging issues to be addressed are finding resources for my goals. Nebraska's rural towns and villages are getting smaller by the year! The 'originals' are aging, and little to no families are coming in to regrow this community. Let's change that!”
Peters' educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and a bachelor of science degree in Psychology, a Bachelor's in Addiction Gerontology, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Integrated Services, Children Family Services, Department of Corrections, Area on Aging, Acute Hospital Care, Inpatient and Outpatient Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Emergency Care Services, Healthcare Management, Nursing Home Administration, In-Home Care Management Services.
Ashley is married to Josh Peters. They have two children, Brayden Taylor is a senior at Johnson County Central Schools and has been accepted to Southeast Community College for welding and enjoys working on the farms. Bridger Peters is 10 months old and has shown the family what fight and conquer is all about. At three months old, Bridger underwent open heart surgery. “Although there is a long road ahead, she shows us her will and orneriness to live,” said Ashley.
Peters enjoys being in a quiet place with family and close friends and making memories on the family farms. “I enjoy visiting these places with our kids and showing them what hard work really is and knowing we can pass this land down to them. Keeping the farms in our families is the home grown way to be!” Peters concluded.

Bartels Seeks Another Term on the Village Board of Elk Creek

Kirk Bartels is running for another term on the Village Board of Elk Creek in the November 3 general election. He has previously served 15 to 20 years on the board. Kirk has served as a treasurer for the board for the last few years.
“I was asked and thought I could help with some things around town,” said Bartels about serving on the board.
When discussing some of the issues, Bartels said the Village Board has been working on trying to get some properties cleaned up. “This has been a struggle,” he added. “We continue to work on the vacant properties.” Bartels would like to address these issues with communication and outside resources.
“The most rewarding experience now is getting the new community hall built.” Bartels said the most challenging issue is getting more people to live in Elk Creek.
Bartels is a graduate of Elk Creek High School. He has worked at the Elevator in Elk Creek since 1983.
Bartels' family includes his wife, Lisa; son, Tony and daughter-in-law, Liz Bartels; grandson, Lane, and granddaughters Brooke and Jenna. His favorite hobby is going to his grandson's ballgames.

Second Mural Shows History of Johnson

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

A baseball player named Julius is the face of Johnson’s second mural, installed Oct. 9-10 by University of Nebraska-Lincoln students on the south wall of Johnson Grocery.
Brianna Gentert Haith of the Johnson Chamber of Commerce said 10 students from UNL’s mural masters class installed the piece. The class submitted several designs, and this one stood out for its content, color and style.
“We hosted an open house in September to show the options submitted by the class to the community and held a vote,” she said.
Johnson gave the class a list of subjects important to the community. Students developed mural concepts and standalone icons based on that list. Their ideas included the community’s albino deer, a baseball scene at Sportsman’s Park, migratory birds tied to Johnson’s location along the Central Flyway, a black swallowtail butterfly and a design centered on corn and the history of the land.
Sandra Williams, associate professor of art, said earlier this fall that Johnson residents were open to letting students shape the designs. She said that openness is essential to the course.
“If you already know what the design is, then why are we there?” she said.
Gentert Haith said community response has been positive so far.
“We had a lot of great options, but this one spoke to the town,” she said. “A lot of people might ask, why a baseball player named Julius? We actually used to have three baseball fields and teams just in the town of Johnson, and they played each other often. We even had a state championship team back in the early 20th century. Now Sportsman’s Park is a big part of everyone’s summer, so it seemed to fit.”
The name honors Julius Johnson, who founded the town in 1881.
The mural was painted on Polytab, a woven material primed like canvas. Students painted it with UV-resistant acrylic, and it was then applied to the wall much like wallpaper. Williams said the class aimed to install by Oct. 9 because the adhesive needs temperatures above 50 degrees for 48 consecutive hours.
Gentert Haith said proceeds from the car raffle at the Johnson Father’s Day BBQ paid for the mural. The chamber has $8,000 to $10,000 left, all earmarked for community development projects.
“We’d love to get some ideas from the community,” she said. “We have a few things in mind, but nothing is set just yet. We are very excited to keep this going.”

Sterling Marching Band Runner-Up in State Marching Parade at Columbus

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The marching band at Sterling Public Schools earned the Class D Runner-up title and plaque in the 2026 Nebraska State Marching Parade held in Columbus on October 10. Twenty marching bands participated in the parade. Sterling's band was among six marching bands in Class D. Osmond Public Schools won championship title in the Class D division.
Sterling's 26-member marching band marched and performed in a parade with a route two miles long, finishing at the downtown square in Columbus before a large audience and judges.
The Sterling Marching Band recently competed in the Harvest of Harmony Festival in Grand Island where they placed 12th out of 36 bands. This year's theme was the 250th Anniversary of America.
In the State Marching Parade, Sterling's marching band improved from 40th to 22nd place for having the best sound in all classes.
“We may be a small school, but as a teacher I push these students pretty hard,” said Derrick Gossard, vocal and instrumental music instructor at Sterling Public Schools. “These students are pro-active. I know we're a small school that can be just as good as a bigger school and these students stepped it up for me.”
This is Gossard's ninth year of teaching instrumental and vocal music at Sterling Public Schools. “I like helping kids find their place. Learning music is beneficial to everyone and I also like incorporating life-skills in my music classes that are intuitive and will help the students when they get out into the world.”
Junior Drum Major Ellen Winter said the teamwork at every practice has made Sterling's marching band better in its sound. “I try to stay positive and encourage the students as much as I can,” said Winter. “Sometimes while conducting the band I just stop, because I am astonished at how great the band sounds. They sound so good, I didn't know they could do that.”
“We have five great leaders,” said Gossard. They include Trevor Pella, David Roecker, Joie Janssen, Ellen Winter and Taylor Truscott. He added that senior members Beau Kaster and Colt Little are great players as well.
Seniors Taylor Truscott, Beau Kaster, Colt Little and David Roecker have all participated in band since the fifth grade. Although senior Joie Janssen hasn't been in band as long as the others, she is considering pursuing a career in music therapy.
Truscott said the Sterling marching band has put a lot of work into developing their maneuvers for the marching competitions such as quick turns, waves, ripples as well as row by row maneuvers.
According to Winter, the judges gave the drum major some great ideas to consider for future competitions.
Judging is based on three categories, music, marching and general effects. According to Gossard, the Sterling marching band gained additional pointers due to the judges' feedback.
Sterling's marching band practices during the first period of the school day. Sterling's high school and 29 member middle school band practiced together a couple of times before the State Marching Parade. Some of Sterling's middle school band students participated in the State Marching Parade due to other commitments by Sterling's high school band members on October 10.
“These band members are one of the hardest working crews I have had this year,” Gossard said.

“Gottula” Sisters of Steinauer Return for October Birthday Bash

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Six of the “Gottula” sisters returned to the Steinauer community to celebrate their birthdays with relatives at an October Birthday Bash at the Convent House on Monday, October 12. The ages of the six sisters total 534 years. Additionally, five of the sisters’ nieces celebrate their birthdays in October as well.

The Gottula sisters celebrated their birthdays with an October bash among other family members in the Steinauer area on October 12. From left to right are Bernadette Hoeller, age 100; Dolores Johnson, age 98; Ethelreda Pella, age 96; and Rosella Cuka, age 88; Not pictured, sisters Mary Smith, 93; and Josephine Supensecek, 90.

Berdette Hoeller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the oldest of the six sisters and she reached the milestone of 100 years on May 6, 2026. She attended nursing school at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Omaha, where she met her husband Donald Hoeller, while he was a patient there. They were married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Steinauer on September 1, 1948. The Hoellers moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Donald was from. Berdette served as a nurse on a part-time basis while raising their six children. Later in her life, she worked as a nursing supervisor. Throughout her life, Berdette has also done a lot of volunteer work. She has played the organ at her church for almost 50 years. She continues to play the organ at her church four days a week. Her favorite songs are “The Servant’s Song” and “Holy God”. Berdette and her husband, Donald, traveled on 16 cruises together as well as touring Europe.
Hoeller attributes her long life to hard work and a relationship with God. “I grew up in a family of seven girls and four boys and everyone had their own chores to do. We made up our own games and in the winter went sledding. Compared to mother, I had an easy life, with all the conveniences of cars, jets and robotics.”
Today, in addition to six children, Berdette has 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Sister Delores Gottula of Jacksonville, Arkansas, is very proud and thankful to celebrate her 98th birthday on Wednesday, October 14. “I’m glad and happy to be able to see all my relatives,” said Delores. “I want to thank all my relatives for coming and helping me celebrate.”
Delores considers herself blessed. She worked for the Dempster Mill Manufacturing in Beatrice for five years and later worked for the federal government for 34 years. Her goal in the near future is to collect and distribute her rosaries to other family members.
“It’s always good to get together, you never know when it may be the last time and time goes by so fast,” said Ethelreda Gottula Pella of Tecumseh, the middle sister who turned 96 in July.
“It’s been wonderful,” said Rosella Gottula of Omaha, the youngest of the sisters. She turned 88 on July 4. It was her idea to celebrate with an October Birthday Bash.
Sister Mary, age 92, of Lincoln had to leave the Birthday Bash early, while Josephine, age 90, wasn’t feeling well and was unable to attend the bash.
Although the Gottula sisters don’t always make it back, the traditional Gottula Family Reunion continues to be held every two years in July.

Option Enrollment Policy Resolution Adopted by APS Board of Education

news@anewpaper.net (David Swanson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Monday night, Oct. 12, the Auburn Public Schools (APS) Board of Education approved its option enrollment policy.
It establishes the maximum number of option students in any program, class, grade level or school building or any special education program operated by the district. That is based on available staff, facilities, projected enrollment of resident students, projected number of students the district will contract based on existing contractual arrangements and availability of appropriate special education programs.
The only other action item was accepting a $50,000 proposal from Golani Bus, LLC on a 2018 Bluebird bus.
Seventh Graders Present
Seventh graders of Tommy Grafton who have been working on biodiversity with a new curriculum shared the importance of bees. Grafton noted the students created a poster to inform everyone on how to protect bees, ensure the insects have a good place to live, a water source and flowers to pollinate. Everyone is also advised not to pull out stems or spray flowers with chemicals and pesticides.
Afterschool Program Recognized
Tonia Greiner, director of the Discovery Opportunity Growth Service (DOGS) Academy afterschool program informed the school board and administration the program was conferred the Glow Up Award at the GetConnected Afterschool Conference.
DOGS Academy was recognized on Outstanding Growth and Continuous Improvement in advancing opportunities for Nebraska youth. Greiner thanked the school board on its continued support.
Administrative Report Highlights
Reva Siegel, special education director, informed the board the APS program is continuing its growth. Currently 239 students from birth through 21 years are being served.
Information from Jason Palmer, assistant principal and activities director noted there are 24 esports competitors. There are 17 students who have expressed interest in unified bowling. It starts the first week of November.
November Meeting
The Monday, Nov. 9 APS Board of Education meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Central Office boardroom, 1713 J St. in Auburn. It will be preceded by a 5:15 p.m. Americanism Committee meeting.

Brown Retires After Nearly Four Decades Serving Nemaha County Farmers

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

When Susan Brown started at the Farm Service Agency in 1983, she was a temporary employee at a small desk in a back corner.
She will retire at the end of October as lead program analyst for the Nemaha County Farm Service Agency office. Some of the families she serves are now in their fifth generation of working with her.
"I worked with the grandpas, the dads, the sons, their sons and now their kids," Brown said.
Brown was hired by Marvin Green, then the county executive director, when the agency was called the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Temporary hires could be extended only 90 days at a time, and her first stint ended around 1985. She returned as a temporary in November 1987 and was hired full time in 1991 when another employee retired.
Since then, the agency became the Consolidated Farm Service Agency and later the Farm Service Agency. The office moved from its location near Pizza Hut to the former Auburn Furniture store for six months, then to its current building at 918 26th St. on Aug. 4, 1994. Brown remembers the date because she tracked the building plans and construction as part of her administrative duties.
Hand-drawn maps gave way to digital mapping, and the office's first computer system gave way to fully electronic records. The paperwork, she said, never shrank.
"The farmers always say when they come in, 'I thought this was supposed to get easier,'" Brown said. "The government loves paperwork. That's just the way it is."
Over the years, Brown has handled acreage reporting, the Conservation Reserve Program, the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, disaster and emergency programs and payment eligibility and payment limitation, which she called one of her biggest responsibilities. She also processed the office payroll by hand for years.
When she started, the office had nine or 10 full-time employees and several temporaries. Budget cuts have reduced the staff to three: Brown, Rhonda Joy and Emily Gerdes. Brown's position will not be refilled. They are managed by Jordan Schaardt.

Susan Brown, pictured here, was honored with an administrative award for service to agriculture in October of 2023 in Washington D.C.

In October 2023, Brown traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive an administrative award for service to agriculture, which recognizes non-supervisory employees for significant contributions to the agency's and USDA's goals.
"I felt like the appreciation for everything I had done had just kind of paid off," she said.
The job let her attend every school event for her three daughters. Brown's daughter Emily Zech died in 2020 after a battle with breast cancer. Because the COVID-19 pandemic had closed the office, Brown was able to work from her daughter's home and help care for her during hospice.
"I couldn't have asked for a more supportive agency and friends and family," Brown said.
In retirement, Brown plans to help her daughter Hannah in Lincoln, who is expecting her second child, and spend time with grandchildren who call her "Un." She also plans to play more golf and travel to markets with her sister, who owns a boutique in South Carolina.
"Everyone always kept telling me, you'll know when you know," Brown said. "I just know I'm ready."
The office will host an open house during business hours Oct. 27-28 at 918 26th St. Her family is hosting a retirement party open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Auburn Country Club.
"I'm going to walk out of here feeling accomplished, like I have helped the local farmers and ranchers," Brown said. "I don't think I'm going to look back and have any regrets."

Auburn Honored as Nebraska’s Only 50-Year Tree City USA

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Auburn, the first Nebraska community named a Tree City USA, is now the only one in the state to keep that designation every year for five decades.
Nebraska State Forester John Erixson, director of the Nebraska Forest Service, and Christina Hoyt, the agency’s community forestry bureau chief, presented the Nebraska State Forester’s Award to the city during the Oct. 12 Auburn City Council meeting.
Many Nebraska communities have joined since the program started 1976, but Auburn is the only one that has held the designation every year from the start.
“Fifty years of recognition doesn’t happen by chance,” Erixson said.
The forestry officials credited generations of mayors, council members, utility and park staff, tree board members, volunteers, businesses, schools and residents.
Erixson said that work has meant preserving healthy trees, removing hazardous ones, diversifying the city’s canopy and paying for maintenance year after year.
Hoyt said Tree City USA has become more than a designation for Auburn. It is now part of the city’s identity.
The award comes during Tree City USA’s 50th anniversary year.
Deputy City Clerk Sheri McMillen and a tree board member said the designation has been a real point of pride for the city, and she is glad to keep the tradition going.
Auburn’s recognition reaches beyond Nebraska as well. The city has been named one of the Tree Cities of the World each of the past four years.

The Beginnings of Nebraska High School Girls’ Cross Country Started at Johnson-Brock

frontdesk@anewpaper.net (Jawny Gill) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Friday, Oct. 23, the same day of Nebraska’s State High School Cross Country Championships, Gov. Jim Pillen will make a proclamation to name the day as Nebraska Women’s Athletics Trailblazers Day in honor of all the women in Nebraska’s history who made participating in athletics something both women and men could do. One of these trailblazers, Ilsa Bednar, grew up in Johnson, Nebraska and was the very first women’s cross country runner in the state.
In 1975, Ilsa Bednar was a freshman at Johnson-Brock High School. At that time, the school had very few sports for women to participate in, volleyball being the only taking place during the fall. Isla tried out for the team but, because the roster was so over-saturated, got little to no playing time. In fact, there were so many women on the volleyball team that many needed to use the outdoor tennis court to practice. The Johnson-Brock secretary, a mother of one of Ilsa’s friends, encouraged her to run cross country with the boys instead. Ilsa showed up for practice and, two days later, was called to the principal’s office and told that, according to Nebraska State Athletics Association (NSAA) rules and regulations, she was not allowed to run with the boys.
When she returned home in tears and told her mother, Carolyn, what happened, all her mother said was, “Well, we’ll just see about that.” Carolyn knew that Title IX was growing in strength and didn’t believe it was right for Ilsa to be barred from the sport but, because she didn’t think she could afford to take up a lawsuit against the NSAA herself, Carolyn called the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) for advice. To her surprise, the ACLU not only provided advice, but filed a lawsuit against the NSAA for the Bednars themselves.
The initial result of the case was an injunction that allowed Ilsa to practice with the boys, but not to participate in any meets. The injunction would last until a ruling was passed. The NSAA attempted to appeal the injunction, and the judgment was affirmed, allowing Ilsa to continue running. Then, in the spring of 1976, the full ruling of the court judged the exclusion of women from men’s cross country as impermissible sex discrimination. The first year women were truly allowed to run in cross country with men, there were at least 5, including Ilsa herself, June Costar of Omaha Burke, Tracy Thraen of Omaha Burke, Ruth Grimes and Nan Lightner, both from Lincoln.
Ilsa found herself not giving much thought to being the first of her kind, nor did she receive much push back from her community or team. “Cross country was a hard thing to adjust to. We were told the routes and sent to run them and I was focused mostly on getting in better shape and improving.” Ilsa said that the idea that her first season could have been cut short due to a poor ruling rarely crossed her mind, if ever. The team, too, was welcoming to Ilsa and, because boys never wanted to be beaten by girls, grew more competitive having her on the team. “I remember having lots of reporters come up to me and asking if I were planning on trying out for football the following year,” Ilsa recalled, “As far as I know, all of the articles printed about me in newspapers around the area were positive and supportive.”
Though there were no additional women to join her on the cross country team during her time at Johnson-Brock High School, Ilsa’s younger brother joined the team as a freshman, during Ilsa’s senior year. “I think what I did in cross country gave me the confidence to tell myself that I can do whatever I like, regardless if it’s for only boys.” Following her graduation from Johnson-Brock, Ilsa applied and was accepted to military academy, which was in only its third year of accepting women. She spent a year and a half there before leaving and going on to be a coach and a referee for various sports.
“I never really thought to myself ‘Oh, I’ve done this great thing.” Ilsa and Carolyn Bednar could have just accepted that rules were rules when Ilsa was denied a place on the cross country team. Instead, they showed their bravery and dedication and made history for Nebraska athletics and, for her efforts, Ilsa will be recognized during the Proclamation Ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 23. The ceremony will take place at the Nebraska Capitol Building in Lincoln, at 9 a.m. Ilsa will not be in attendance, but will be represented by family members currently residing in Nebraska.

Auburn Council Holds Sheriff Contract; Parks Worker Honored for Rescue

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0500

The Auburn City Council voted 4-2 Oct. 12 to table a four-year, $2.15 million interlocal agreement with the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement in the city, putting off a decision until after the Nov. 3 election.
At the same meeting, the council honored a city parks employee who helped a resident and her dog out of a pond, authorized up to $7,500 for an engineering review of a stormwater damage claim and approved advertising for bids on pool and sports complex projects. The city also received a state award for 50 straight years as a Tree City USA [See related story].
Sheriff contract on hold
The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement for Auburn under a three-year agreement that runs through the end of 2026. The proposed agreement would cover 2027 through 2030. The only changes from the current agreement are the term and the cost.
Auburn has contracted with the sheriff’s office since January 2013, when the city dissolved the Auburn Police Department. The contract pays for one officer on duty in Auburn 24 hours a day, which the sheriff’s office calculates as 4.3 full-time positions. The office has 11 patrol officers.
The city would pay $519,000 in 2027, about 10% more than the $471,570 it pays this year. The payment would stay at $519,000 in 2028, then rise to $539,760 in 2029 and $567,350 in 2030, for a four-year total of $2,145,110.
Under the current agreement, the city paid $444,500 in 2024 and $457,835 in 2025, increases of 3% a year.
In a later interview, Sheriff Brent Lottman said the Nemaha County commissioners, who fund the rest of the sheriff’s office budget, approved a 10% raise for county employees, which for this contract affects the sheriff and deputies. The county also has 27 pay periods in 2027 instead of the usual 26, which adds to next year’s cost. That extra pay period is why the payment stays flat in 2028, he said.
Lottman said insurance and fuel costs also factor into the amount, and the city’s and county’s budget cycles do not line up with the contract’s start date.
Councilman Shawn Clark made the motion to table. He pointed to the election and said that because the agreement runs four years and the council had little time to review it, it would be prudent to wait until the November meeting.
Councilman Tom Clark seconded the motion.
“I agree. I don’t know that we should get into a four-year contract,” Tom Clark said. “I want to look into it more.”
Shawn Clark, Tom Clark, Johnny Curttright and Nathan Seitz voted to table the agreement. Council members Rick Janssen and Brian Lavigne voted against.
Lottman is running unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election, but the Auburn mayor’s race and two City Council seats are contested. Shawn Clark and Seitz, who both voted to table the agreement, face challengers.
Shawn Clark said after the meeting that waiting a month should not cause problems because the agreement would not take effect until January.
In a written statement released Oct. 15, Lottman said county salaries for officials and deputies are set four years at a time, which allows the city to budget for the full term of the contract.
Auburn has about 49% of the county’s population and accounted for 48.5% of the sheriff’s office’s calls in 2024 and 2025 and just over 53% so far this year, according to the statement.
“If the city decides not to move forward with the sheriff’s office providing coverage for Auburn, that is its right,” Lottman said. “As it stands now, the city pays for us to have officers in Auburn 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a usual response time of two to five minutes. Should that change, response times would increase dramatically, possibly to 20 minutes.”

Without a contract, Lottman said, deputies would still answer calls in Auburn, but no officer would be assigned to the city, and response times would be similar to those in the rest of the county. State law would limit deputies to enforcing state law and the laws of the political subdivision that employs them, so city ordinances, such as those on loose dogs and on-street parking, would not be enforced.
Parks employee honored for pond rescue
Mayor Chris Erickson presented a certificate of recognition to city parks employee Terry Niederklein for helping a resident and her dog out of a pond Sept. 23.
Clarann Henrichs was walking her dog, Jack, that evening when he slipped out of his collar and ran into a drainage pond near the Westgate housing development. Bohling followed him into the pond, and neither could climb out.
Niederklein was driving nearby and realized he had not seen Bohling and her dog leave the area. He found them in the pond, called emergency services as he went in and helped them both out. Neither was hurt.
Engineers to review stormwater claim
After a closed session to discuss potential litigation involving property at 511 17th St., the council returned to open session at 7:35 p.m. and authorized the city attorney to hire JEO Consulting Group to investigate a stormwater damage claim.
John and Kristine Gill filed the claim Sept. 23 over damage to the property. Spending on the review is capped at $7,500 without further council approval.
The review may look at historical drainage conditions, existing drainage infrastructure, upstream development, earlier projects, engineering records and the condition of the property.
The motion stated the authorization is not an admission of liability or a finding that any city facility caused or contributed to the damage. It also does not commit the city to build, repair or replace any drainage improvement or private structure.
Pool, sports complex projects go to bid
The council approved advertising for bids on two projects: converting the tennis courts at the Auburn sports complex to pickleball courts and renovating the municipal pool.
City Administrator Crystal Dunekacke said the city has worked with JEO Consulting Group on the sports complex project. Both projects will be advertised for bids starting next week, with bids opening at 11 a.m. Nov. 4. The council will review them at its November meeting.
Both bid packages include options that let the council award all or part of each project, depending on prices. City crews will handle some of the sports complex work, including demolition, to save money.
Other business and consent agenda
In other action, the council appointed Nate Powell to the Planning Commission.
The council also approved the consent agenda, including payment of claims, minutes, the city’s financial report and special designated liquor license applications for the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. The licenses are for Mike Gableman of Street Level Villain, doing business as Southside Saloon, for a banquet Nov. 5 at the Auburn 4-H building and for events Nov. 12, 19, 20 and 21 for Ruth Heywood at The White Spot, Gallery 75.
The next City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at Auburn City Hall.

Area FBLA Chapters Team Up for Alzheimer’s Awareness Walk

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:58:00 -0500

About 50 people and several dogs walked two laps around the Auburn City Rec Complex on Sunday to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.
Future Business Leaders of America chapters from Auburn, Johnson-Brock and Johnson County Central high schools organized the walk and cheered on participants.

Storybook Village Play Space Gives Young Families a Place to Play in Auburn

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:57:00 -0500

Families visiting The Cenacle Bookstore and Cafe now have a place for children to play while parents drink coffee and browse books just in time for cold weather.
The business at 1304 Courthouse Ave. celebrated the opening of Storybook Village, a children’s play space, with an Auburn Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting Oct. 14.
Owners Dawn and Jamie Weiss turned an unused room into the play area with a $20,000 grant from the Amex Shop Small Grants Program, a partnership between American Express and Main Street America.
Dawn Weiss said the family learned about the grant from a chamber post shortly before applications closed.
“So we just quickly thought of what we wanted to do with this space that wasn’t used,” she said. “It didn’t have windows in it previously, and it just wasn’t a good space.”
The Cenacle was one of 10 Nebraska businesses selected. About 500 received grants nationwide.
The room features murals by Reagan Jordan, Dawn Weiss’ daughter, who owns White Studio and Gallery and Black Studio Tattoo in the same building. The building is part of the Auburn Creative District.
Assisting with the ribbon cutting was Auburn City Council member Nathan Seitz, who has a 1-year-old daughter. He said he expects his family will use it.
“It’s really nice to see this happen in Auburn,” Seitz said. “We really appreciate the reinvestment in our community.”
The Cenacle is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Auburn Council Candidates Call for Clearer Communication

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:52:00 -0500

Four candidates for Auburn City Council kept returning to one idea at a chamber forum Oct. 13; residents need more information about what the city is doing and why.
The bluntest version came from Shawn Clark, a 16-year council member. Asked what elected leaders can do about apathy and negativity in town, Shawn Clark said the city needs to be more open about its decisions.
“I know 90% of the council meetings I go to, I know it’s already decided,” he said. He said residents pick up on that, and it feeds the negativity.
The Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum at Auburn City Hall, with Executive Director Leslie Clark moderating. It was part of the chamber’s series of candidate conversations before the Nov. 3 general election. In Ward 1, Shawn Clark faces Logan Merz. In Ward 3, incumbent Nathan Seitz faces Dawna Hall. The event was also streamed on Facebook. Candidates did not see the questions in advance, and for the first time the chamber included questions submitted by residents.
Shawn Clark said he often first learns about issues by email the Friday before a meeting when he gets the board packet. He urged residents to attend meetings and ask questions.
Merz, who has owned his own business for 13 years, said most of the negativity lives online. “There’s so many positive things happening in Auburn, and it’s all happening out in the world, and all the negativity is happening on social media,” he said. He said leaders should show up at community events, adding, “Kindness breeds kindness.”
Seitz agreed and pointed to grants City Administrator Crystal Dunekacke has secured for upcoming sports complex and pool renovations. “It’s a lot easier to put people down and drag people down,” he said of social media. “You don’t have to look at them in the face.”
Hall, an alum of Nemaha County Leadership Class 10, said she feels much of the frustration comes from misunderstanding. She cited the city’s contract with the sheriff’s office, saying many residents don’t understand why the city pays for it or how deputies differ from a police department.
Leslie Clark noted that a chamber survey sent to 120 members ranked downtown revitalization as a priority, including empty storefronts and making downtown more of a destination.
Seitz, who had owned the Auburn bowling alley with his wife, said he is wary of the city telling owners what to do. “I don’t really want someone telling me how to run my business,” he said. But he said older downtown buildings often hide expensive problems, such as wiring that isn’t up to code, which makes programs like tax increment financing through the Community Redevelopment Authority important. He said he is still learning how TIF works and that owners need more education about it.
Hall said she spent time studying the CRA, the Downtown Revitalization program and the Community Development Block Grant that funds it, which requires state approval. She said the city should do more to tell owners that money is available and help them through the application process.
Shawn Clark said owners are responsible for upkeep but can seek grants through the city. He questioned whether downtown money has been divided fairly and said some owners are upset and want more transparency.
Merz put the burden on property owners. He said the city cannot control who owns a building or force anyone to open a business in it. Unless someone “takes the chance at opening a business in an empty downtown building,” he said, it will stay empty. He added that some residents complain about vacant buildings online but do nothing about them.
On trash, junk and neglected properties, Seitz said he learned after joining the council that nuisance abatement is a long legal process. “They just have to have that sense of pride for themselves and their property,” he said of owners.
Merz said some houses aren’t worth saving. “You’re not gonna find someone to buy a house that’s gonna cost $60,000 to fix that they can sell for $50,000,” he said, adding that many will need to be torn down.
Shawn Clark said some owners clean up just enough to restart the process. He acknowledged he has made mistakes approaching owners personally and said it is better to let the legal process work and noted that as a member of the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department, they always welcome the opportunity for a controlled burn training scenario.
Hall suggested organizing volunteers to help owners who feel overwhelmed. She also called for even enforcement, saying she has seen the process start on some properties while others “just as bad, if not worse” don’t appear to get the same attention.
Asked how they decide on a vote, Hall said, “I’m a numbers person.” She pointed to an ordinance about two years ago involving ATVs and side-by-sides, saying that if the city treated one differently from the other, she would want data showing why.
Merz said he seeks information from several people he trusts to give it without opinion attached. Seitz said he leans on his father, who is finishing a term as a Pawnee County commissioner, and his brother, the mayor of Tecumseh. Shawn Clark said that if he doesn’t have enough information or time to research an issue, he votes no rather than guess.
Shawn Clark declined to answer a question about the role of arts and culture in economic development. The other three candidates backed arts and culture. Seitz said the arts “are massive when it comes to just feeling like something is alive.” Hall said the city should make clear when projects are paid for with grants rather than tax dollars, citing a $100,000 Nebraska Arts Council grant the Auburn Creative District received this year. Merz said business owners should welcome the district’s work because it brings visitors who spend money. “Think about your favorite places you visited, and I guarantee it’s not a tour of state prison,” he said.
In closing, Hall said she wants to focus on city spending, checks and balances, segregation of duties and the grant process. Seitz, finishing his first term, asked for votes after what he called “a very interesting first four years.” Shawn Clark said he will keep asking questions and voting for what is best for his ward and the city. Merz described himself as a neighbor with a constant need to keep learning.

Auburn Mayor, Challenger Split on Experience and Openness at Forum

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:50:00 -0500

Auburn Mayor Chris Erickson pointed to housing development and grant funding as he asked for a second term at a chamber forum Oct. 12. Challenger Stephanie Holmes promised more open communication from the city and acknowledged she has a lot to learn about how it operates.
“I’m an open book, ask me anything,” Holmes told the audience.
The Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted the mayoral forum at Auburn City Hall following its city council candidate conversation, with Executive Director Leslie Clark moderating. It was streamed on Facebook and included questions submitted by residents. The general election is Nov. 3.
The sharpest difference came on public participation in meetings. Holmes said residents want to be heard and the city should share more about its work, including timelines for projects. She said clearer communication would help counter negativity and misconceptions about the city.
She also said that while she understands the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, “there’s lots that I’m going to be learning in this process” if elected.
Erickson said residents can comment on agenda items at every meeting and contact him or council members with questions. He said opening meetings to back-and-forth questions often leaves the council going in circles. Clark asked whether residents may make statements during meetings while questions are reserved for the council member conversations, and Erickson confirmed that is the case. He said the city complies with the Open Meetings Act, answers records requests and keeps documentation available at City Hall.
Asked about disagreements among city leaders, Erickson noted the mayor votes only to break a tie. “We’re all gonna have disagreements. It’s gonna happen. We just have to communicate through those,” he said.
Holmes said officials should take emotion out of disagreements and focus on facts. “We aren’t always gonna get along and that’s okay,” she said.
Asked what initiative she would advance, Holmes said she would like an application process for city committee seats, letting residents explain why they want to serve on committees such as budget and finance. She said she might not fully understand the current process.
Erickson said his priority is keeping Auburn family-friendly by maintaining recreation facilities, including the pool and sports courts.
On housing, Erickson said the Westgate development will offer lots of different sizes for single-family and multifamily homes. He said workers at Peru State College and Cooper Nuclear Station have told the city they couldn’t find suitable housing in Auburn. He also pointed to the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund and redevelopment money for rental properties.
Holmes said attracting residents takes jobs, affordable housing, child care and activities, and that the city should make that information easier to find online.
Erickson said child care is the biggest need he hears from employers and that the area is “starting to be in dire straits.” He said the city is working on a regional solution, including a shared pool of substitute workers, after the recent closure of the child care center on the Peru State College campus and other centers in the area.
On workforce development, Holmes cited her years placing student teachers in area schools for Peru State. She said the city should help connect students with internships, job shadowing and job fairs.
On downtown, Erickson said the city’s vacant building ordinance, passed about five years ago, could be strengthened by the council. He said tax increment financing in the core area and Community Development Block Grant money remain the city’s main tools for downtown redevelopment.
Holmes said she has more to learn about what the city can and cannot do. She said the city should ask business owners what they need, help them find grants and “think outside of the box.”
On business retention, Erickson said online shopping has changed retail over the last 20 years. Holmes said the city should ask residents and business owners why people shop elsewhere and encourage shopping local.
Both candidates backed the Auburn Creative District. Erickson said many people who opposed its murals have since come around. He said the city should be a “small investor” in the arts because they bring in sales tax dollars. Holmes said the arts give people who aren’t involved in sports a place to belong. “Everyone needs a sense of belonging,” she said.
On prioritizing projects, Erickson said the city should identify its needs, maintain what it has and look for grant dollars, which he said the city has secured to address a number of needs during his term. Holmes proposed a committee that would rank projects by need and available money, with one-, three- and five-year plans, and explain to the public why projects are chosen.
In closing, Holmes said she would lead with integrity, transparency and collaboration. “This community shaped who I was,” she said.
Erickson, who said he has served the city for about 15½ years on the council and as mayor, said the city has made tough choices but is adding housing and bringing businesses to town. He said he would like to see every downtown building filled and asked residents to vote to let him continue serving.
A petition to recall Erickson, filed in July 2025, failed after the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office could not validate 12 of the 21 circulated petitions because of irregularities in how they were circulated. That left 152 valid signatures, short of the 301 needed to force a recall election.
In September, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office charged petitioner Amanda Powell and Auburn City Council member Johnny Curttright with two felony counts each of falsely swearing to a circulator’s affidavit. Both cases are pending.

Thunderbirds Fall to Knights in Conference Final; Bulldogs Finish Third

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:45:00 -0500

As the top seed in the 2026 ECNC volleyball tournament, JCC earned a first round bye before defeating Falls City in four sets to advance to the tournament final against Elmwood-Murdock.
Riley Wellenseik and Brynn Weber each had 19 kills to lead the Thunderbirds against the Tigers. Wellenseik also had a team-high 13 kills against the Knights in the championship game.
JCC was within striking distance in each set of the final, but Elmwood-Murdock won all three sets by a combined eight points, taking the conference crown, while the Thunderbirds were runners-up.

The Auburn Lady Bulldogs earned third place in the ECNC volleyball tournament on October 15. Front row left to right; Heidi Gerdes, Ella Swanson, Brynn Casey, Lilly Grier, Emery Taylor, Breckin Crawford. Back row, left to right; Kara Engles, Reagan McMann, Nora Jacobitz, Thea Handley, Brooklyn Reid Hanson, Graycen Jones, Taelynn Crawford, Audrey Wright.

Auburn opened the tournament with a win over Weeping Water in straight sets. The Bulldogs were also defeated by the Knights in the semifinal round but took the game to five sets before the Knights won set five by a score of 17-15.
The Bulldogs would finish third in the tournament after defeating Falls City in the third place game in five sets.
After the conference tournament, the Thunderbirds moved to 21-4, while Auburn improved to 18-11 on the year.

Lady Eagles Are Pioneer Conference Champions with Irish Defeat

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:43:00 -0500

Johnson-Brock had three players notch double-digit kills in the Pioneer Conference Tournament final against Falls City Sacred Heart, leading the Lady Eagles to a conference championship.
Senior Daley Pelican led the team with 15 kills against Sacred Heart, while Josie Stutheit and Kasie Knippelmeyer each added 11 kills to the title game effort. Stutheit and Emma Wakulinski also combined for seven blocks.
The Lady Eagles dropped the first set to the Irish, but claimed three straight set wins to earn the championship in four sets.
Johnson-Brock opened the tournament with a win in straight sets over Sterling, before advancing to the conference championship with a win over Diller-Odell in four sets.
The Lady Eagles went 3-0 on their way to the conference title and improved to 19-6 on the season.

Behrends Throws For 400 Plus to Lead Eagles Past Thunderbirds

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:40:00 -0500

Johnson-Brock put up 64 points to remain unbeaten with an 8-0 record after defeating JCC by a score of 64-28 in Tecumseh Friday night.
Sophomore Coy Behrends, who has stepped up after quarterback Wyatt Fulton was injured a couple weeks ago, threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns with one interception to lead the Eagle offense.
Three Eagle receivers: Deacon Bernadt, Justin Meyer, and Kingston Neddenriep all surpassed 100-yards receivers, combining for 376 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Ben Parriott led the ground game with 161 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries.
JCC’s Trey Lubben also recorded 108 yards for the Thunderbirds, who were able to score three touchdowns through the air and one on the ground, but JCC couldn’t keep pace with the Eagles.
Johnson-Brock led 50-28 at halftime and shut the Thunderbirds out in the second half to earn the win on the road, dropping the Thunderbirds to 1-7 on the year.

Huskey Advances to Class C State Cross Country Meet in Kearney

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:37:00 -0500

“I'm very happy and I feel very blessed,” said Ashton Huskey, Johnson County Central’s only state qualifier. The Nebraska State Class C Cross Country Meet is scheduled for Friday, October 23 at the Kearney Country Club.
“I feel that this district meet was my best race this season. I feel that I ran my best considering the cooler and windier conditions,” Huskey said. He added that JCC's Cross Country runners didn't have any previous meets with those conditions this season. “The high level of competition at the district level pushed me to run hard the entire race.”
Huskey’s finishing time at the district meet was 18:01.0, a time he also achieved earlier in the season during the Falls City Invitational, where he came in second place. Overall, Huskey medaled at six out of eight competitions this season.
When it comes to preparing for the state cross country meet, Huskey said he plans to take practice seriously and try his hardest. He also plans to make sure he's eating right, get rest and keep a positive mindset.
Huskey, a sophomore at JCC, is currently in his fourth year of running cross country. He started running cross country in seventh grade. During the summer months Huskey works out and runs on his own quite a bit. He added that his mom, Angie Huskey, who is the assistant coach for JCC's Cross Country teams, encourages him to keep running during the off season.
“I enjoy the company of my friends,” said Ashton about his participation in cross country. “They help me stay consistent and competitive. I also really enjoy the team activities that we do in practice and before and after meets,” he added.
Ashton is not yet sure what plans he has for attending college, but hopes that running will be part of his college career.

Bulldog XC Girls Win Fourth Straight District Title; State Meet Friday in Kearney

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:36:00 -0500

The Auburn girls cross country team is heading back to state after claiming their fourth straight district title. The Bulldogs ran in the C-1 district meet at Branched Oak State Recreation Park in Raymond.
Hailey Janssen led Auburn with a fifth place finish, followed by Brindley Mazzula in sixth place less than three seconds later.* Madelyn Vinson also medaled with a 15th place finish.
The Bulldogs finished with a team score of 42, beating second place Plattsmouth by two points and third place Lincoln Christian by three.
Auburn will compete among the Class C field at the state meet this Friday in Kearney.

*corrected from the print edition

Union Gen. Godfrey Weitzel Subject of Brownville Old Time Autumn Presentation

news@anewpaper.net (David Swanson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:34:00 -0500

Gen. Godfrey Weitzel achieved multiple promotions in the Union Army before age 30, a Brownville Fine Arts Association audience was informed Saturday afternoon, Oct. 10.
Bill Quatman of Kansas City, Mo. discussed his 2015 Weitzel biography during the Brownville Historical Society’s Old Time Autumn. Weitzel is featured in a photo displayed at the Wheel Museum on Brownville’s Main Street. Quatman recalled spending 10 years writing the book.
Born in 1835 in Germany, Weitzel and his family emigrated to the United States in 1837. They arrived in Baltimore before settling in the German Over the Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati. Weitzel was admitted to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. at the recommendation of Cincinnati school board members. Leading the academy while Weitzel attended were Jefferson Davis and Superintendent Robert E. Lee, Confederate leaders during the Civil War, Quatman related.
The author noted Weitzel was among the top students during his four years at West Point graduating second in his class in 1855. Weitzel’s first assignment after graduation was at New Orleans under Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard, later a Confederate general who started the Civil War by ordering the first shots on Fort Sumter. Weitzel worked down the Mississippi River reinforcing Forts St. Philip and Jackson, Quatman noted. The author stated following Weitzel’s time in New Orleans he was assigned an assistant professorship at West Point.
Quatman said Weitzel was sent to Washington, D.C. to be part of the bodyguards watching over President Lincoln’s first inauguration. April 13, 1861, the day following the start of the Civil War, Weitzel was shipped to Fort Pickens, Fla. later returning to Washington to recruit a company. The capture of New Orleans and the the forts guarding the approach to Louisiana’s largest city have been termed the most important Civil War event except the fall of Richmond, Va., the Confederate capital. From 1862 through 1864, Weitzel earned promotions to brigadier general, division commander, brevet major general and finally full major general.
The author indicated when Weitzel was promoted to brigadier general he was the youngest Union general. Weitzel later commanded the only all-African American and final corps formed during the Civil War. In late March 1865 Weitzel commanded all Union troops outside Richmond, Va., Quatman chronicled.
The April 3, 1865 fall of Richmond prompted big celebrations in Washington, D.C. and New York City, the author noted. Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy, left his Richmond mansion which was occupied by Weitzel. The following day, Lincoln and his son, Tad, age 12 years, arrived in Richmond and met with Weitzel. Quatman said Lincoln’s arrival has been depicted in many drawings. The Civil War ended April 9, 1865 when Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Quatman noted Grant never set foot in Richmond until after the Civil War.
Quatman is a member of the Civil War Round Table of Kansas City, Mo., which promotes educational, literary and preservation activities related to the conflict. The meetings feature expert speakers on Civil War topics.
The author remembered giving his presentation more than 100 times and it was his first time in Nebraska. After the book was published, Quatman recalled going on a two-week tour to Louisiana; New York; Washington, D.C.; Virginia and Ohio, including The Museum of the Confederacy at Richmond, Va. He was also featured on C-SPAN.
“It’s fun to go around the United States and give the story,” the author said.
A separate article will feature Dale Gilbert with Thunder on Bays Mountain.

Empowering Local Youth: Inside Educational Service Unit 4’s 4 Points Academy

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:14:00 -0500

Every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., a unique learning environment in Auburn buzzes with purpose, activity, and growth. Educational Service Unit 4’s (ESU 4) 4 Points Academy currently serves six students from two local school districts, providing specialized transition services designed to prepare young adults for independent living and community involvement. Operating out of a homelike facility featuring a living room, kitchen, bathroom, classroom, and quiet room, the program blends essential daily instruction with hands-on, community-based career training.
At the core of the 4 Points Academy are its four foundational pillars: Employment, Daily Living, Social Skills, and Self-Advocacy. Within the facility, students master practical everyday responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and simple household repairs. To prepare for future entry into the workforce, students craft resumes, practice job interview techniques, and participate in small-group activities that foster meaningful social connections and collaboration with area schools. Self-advocacy is woven into every aspect of the curriculum, empowering students to select their job sites, share their personal stories, serve as active participants in their IEP meetings, and step into leadership roles.

Behind the daily success of the academy is a dedicated team consisting of teachers and job coaches who work in close partnership with Apace job coaches. The team coordinates daily schedules to transport students across town to an expansive network of local job sites and community partners, including: AKRS John Deere, Auburn Bowling Alley, Brickroad Pub and Grill, ESU 4 Office, Good Samaritan Society, G & S Grocery, Head Start, Meyer Earp, NAPA, Nemaha Valley Veterinary Clinic, Neighborhood Closet, Pizza Hut, Auburn Senior Center, St Francis, Subway, and Westbury Heights.
In addition to these lessons, the students participate in social activities with students from the ESU 4 area. Upcoming events hosted by area schools include a Halloween Party, Friendsgiving, a Holiday Party, Prom, a spirit camp, and the All-Star Track Meet. Through strong partnerships with local businesses, dedicated staff, and a commitment to individual growth, ESU 4’s 4 Points Academy is equipping local youth with the skills, confidence, and independence needed to thrive long after graduation.

The Marshmallow Caper

locals@anewspaper.net (Carol Sisco) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 11:03:00 -0500

I built a road system last weekend so my grandsons could haul 10,000 marshmallows. I had to keep busy building the road to keep ahead of the boy’s progress so I missed the opportunity to ask where he was hauling them. I thought of so many questions later, after I was back at my home. None of them really matter, but I should have also asked what size of marshmallows they were hauling. Nowadays, there are so many choices.
When I was young, you could get jumbo and miniature. You had to buy a box of cereal to get the crunchy, dehydrated marshmallows. Nowadays, you can also get giant size and big square marshmallows intended for s’mores. At Christmas, you can get about the same size as the jumbo marshmallows but in star and Christmas tree shapes. Other holidays are starting to get their own marshmallow shapes.
Anyhow, this set of questions brought another question to mind. How many marshmallows could be hauled in the little vehicles that fit in a four-year-old’s hand? The problem is, you can’t approach this question literally. The child has a very active imagination so it’s hard to tell if he would be thinking literally or imagining that the semi was full size.
Another issue: I don’t think he counts much past 20 yet, so how strict is he going to be on the count? Or will it even matter? Besides that, his little brother also wants to haul 10,000 marshmallows. Will the older brother be in charge of that loading job too? I’m just glad that I wasn’t asked to load the marshmallows. Which brings to mind yet another question: Are the marshmallows loose or in bags? I don’t bother to ask. I just have to build the road and since the road just goes in a figure eight (if I can find the right curve shaped pieces), it doesn’t matter if I know where they are delivering their freight.
The little brother is two and he will stick with a task longer than you’d think, but I’m not sure he’ll stick with it long enough to get where big brother wants him to go. If big brother can decide where to go. It’s a bit of a sticky situation, especially if it rains and the marshmallows get wet. I don’t know if the trailers are enclosed or have coverings or are open to the air. My grandson isn’t worried about it, so I won’t be either. Besides, he probably controls the weather, too.
I love playing with my grandchildren. My imagination is not crusty, dusty, or out of use. In fact, I have an easier time imagining a semi hauling 10,000 marshmallows than getting up off the floor after building the road they are hauling on. At least no one but the kids are watching me get upright again. And as soon as I’m up, I sit down on a chair and stretch out my legs.
“Come here, Grandma, and watch me unload the marshmallows,” says the bigger brother.
“Here,” says the little brother, pointing to a spot on the floor.
I answer, “I can see you from here. Grandma has good eyes.” Which is true, as long as I’m wearing my glasses.
Somehow, the marshmallows got unloaded before suppertime and we even had time to run the fire trucks and put out some fires in the living room. While the big brother was putting out fires, the little brother started farming around the sofa. He was apparently getting good yields, considering how often he had to unload.
Luckily, I can sit on the sofa while these activities are going on. Thank goodness for small favors.

Sterling Third Grader Spends Race Weekend with Joey Logano

rebecca@anewspaper.net (Rebecca Johnson) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:30:00 -0500

Sterling third grader Kyler Melgaard spent a weekend in Las Vegas with one of NASCAR’s biggest names.
Kyler and his family traveled to Las Vegas Oct. 3-4 as guests of the JL Kids Club, a Joey Logano Foundation program that gives young fans a race weekend of behind-the-scenes access and gifts. Logano, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, drives the No. 22 Ford for Team Penske.
Kyler applied in January, submitting a questionnaire and a video interview. He was selected to attend the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Logano finished 10th.
On Saturday, Logano watched the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race from his suite with Kyler and the other children. On Sunday, Kyler helped push Logano’s car out of the garage and onto pit road before the race. His mother, Kelcey Melgaard, said meeting Logano was a highlight.
Among the gifts, Kyler received a custom fire suit identical to the ones drivers wear.
“Kyler has quite a collection and was able to add a lot of stuff to it!” Kelcey Melgaard said.

Peru State Announces Homecoming Court

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:28:00 -0500

(Peru, NE) — The excitement of Homecoming will reach a royal milestone Saturday, October 24, as Peru State College crowns its 2026 Homecoming King and Queen during halftime of the Bobcats' football game against Graceland University. Kickoff in the historic Oak Bowl is scheduled for 2 p.m.

This year's Homecoming celebration, themed “Red, White, and Blue – Coming Home to Peru 2026,” promises a spirited weekend of Bobcat pride, tradition and opportunities for alumni, students, and friends to celebrate their Peru State connections.

Ten outstanding seniors have been selected as candidates for the coveted Homecoming King and Queen honors.

The five queen candidates are Grace Darling, an elementary education major from Wahoo; Madison Hammner, a biochemistry major from Hebron; Megan Riesberg, a disease and human health major with a minor in psychology from LaVista; Chancie Deaton, a psychology major from Payson, Arizona; and CoDee Jo Hartle, a K-12 special education major with a minor in theatre from Waterloo.

Vying for the title of Homecoming King are Carson Pierce, a marketing major with a minor in finance from Lincoln; Evan Miller, a finance major from Plattsmouth; Wrigley Strong, a sports and community leadership major from Omaha; Samuel Dunn, a criminal justice major from Falls City; and Brady Vanboening, an accounting and finance major with a minor in business administration from Holdrege.

Adding to the Homecoming festivities, representatives from the junior, sophomore and freshman classes have also been selected to participate in the royal celebration.

Representing the junior class are Rachel Melvin, an elementary education major with an endorsement in early childhood education from Pella, Iowa, and Dax Powell, a disease and human health major from Alliance.

The sophomore class representatives are Holiday Kirk, an exercise science major from LaVista, and Manuel DeSantiago Tapia, Jr., a criminal justice legal studies major with a political science minor from Fallon, Nevada.

Representing the freshman class are Shelby Parks, an English Language Arts major with a minor in theatre from Granbury, Texas, and Trevor Flash, a criminal justice major from Nebraska City.

Before the crowning ceremony, the Homecoming royalty will be featured in the traditional Homecoming parade, which begins Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

The celebration will continue following the parade with a festive tailgate on the campus quad. Alumni, families, students, and community members are invited to enjoy food, games and entertainment provided by the Peru State College Jazz Band.

Both the parade and campus tailgate are free and open to the public, providing a wonderful opportunity for Bobcats of all generations to reconnect and share in the Homecoming spirit.

Admission will be charged for the afternoon football game.

Washington, Miller Peru State’s 2025-2026 Swenson Award Winners

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:26:00 -0500

Peru State College (PSC) student-athletes Zahir “Ziggy” Washington and Kennedy Miller are 2025-2026 recipients of the college’s Bert Swenson Award.
A native of Pleasantville, N.J., Washington played four years on the Bobcat football team and was a full-time starter as a junior and a senior. He earned all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore, second-team All-Heart as a junior and first-team all-conference as a senior.
A December 2025 magna cum laude graduate with a degree in educational studies, Washington is a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Omaha Fire Department.
Miller, a Plattsmouth native and graduate of Plattsmouth High School, was a four-year member of the Bobcat volleyball team and two-year starter. She earned All-Heart as a junior and senior. As a senior, Miller was named Heart of America Athletic Conference Defender of the Week twice. She was honorable mention recognition on the Omaha World-Herald’s All-Midlands National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics team.
A 2026 magna cum laude graduate with a degree in K-12 physical education, Miller is teaching elementary physical education at Cornerstone in Bellevue.
Both also earned academic recognition.
Bert and Stella Swenson established the award in memory of their son, Bert Jr., who died at age 13 months. Bert Swenson Sr. was a 1909 PSC graduate who served as football team captain and class president at the college. In 2009 he was posthumously inducted into the PSC Athletic Hall of Fame.
Each year, coaches nominate senior student-athletes who demonstrate athletic achievement, outstanding character, personality, service and loyalty to Nebraska’s first college. The athletic department staff selects one male and one female recipient. The honorees receive a commemorative watch and medallion from the Swenson family through the PSC Foundation.

US Secretary of Energy Tours Elk Creek Mine; NioCorp Reaches Agreement with Traxys to Purchase Mine Products

locals@anewspaper.net (Carol Sisco) — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:04:00 -0500

The site of the Elk Creek critical minerals mine was busy on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 even though the workers had the day off. Many dignitaries were present to tour the mine site including U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright from Washington, D.C. Also in attendance were Governor Jim Pillen; U.S. Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts; Representative Adrian Smith; President and Chairman of the Board John Jovanovic from the Export Import Bank of the United States, which is providing debt financing for up to 65% of the Elk Creek mine project; State Senator Bob Hallstrom; Mark Kristoff, CEO of Traxys; and many others who have been important to the development of the critical minerals project.
In one way or another, all of the speakers reiterated the importance of establishing a domestic supply of the critical minerals and rare earth materials existing at the Elk Creek mine site. Currently, the U.S. imports 100% of its niobium and scandium and 85% of its titanium and the supply of those minerals and the rare earths is mainly in China, an adversary of the U.S.
Governor Pillen said, “It’s important that we fix the energy crisis in this country... We have to get the supply chain secure and this is a big step toward that.
Senior Senator Fischer added, “This is a big deal for our state but it is a huge deal for our country. We rely on these minerals to power our lives, yet we continue to rely on foreign countries for our supply. That is not good, it creates vulnerability. We are working to bring production back to the U.S.”
“The best way to secure safety is to be strong,” said Senator Ricketts. “We live in a dangerous world. It is extremely important to establish secure supply lines and processing in the U.S. It will be great for Johnson County’s economy as well as the state’s.”
“It’s exciting to see this project come to fruition,” said Congressman Smith, who at the groundbreaking ceremony took the first scoop of dirt with the excavator. “Expanding the tax base is important to the economy.”
U.S. Secretary of Energy Wright said, “When China’s regime decided to change the way they supplied us [with critical minerals], we could apply and maybe they’d supply us and maybe not. [Critical minerals] were all outsourced. The President said, ‘How did this happen?’ We have to fix this. We can’t just talk about it, write a few papers and hand it off to the next administration. We have to act. This is our national security that’s underground here.”
Export Import Bank’s President Jovanovic urged, “Make America a stronger, safer, more prosperous place. All we want is to level the playing field for America’s capable, innovative engineers. Think about the people this impacts in the future.”
Traxys Announcement
An announcement from NioCorp released October 13, 2026 said:
NioCorp Developments Ltd. (“NioCorp,” “our,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:NB), a leading U.S. developer of critical minerals, has reached a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) with Traxys North America LLC (“Traxys”), a leading global trader and merchant in the metals and natural resources sectors, resulting in 100% of the Company’s planned production from its Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project (the “Elk Creek Project”) now being supported by commercial agreements during the first 15 years of operations.
Under the binding Agreement, Traxys will purchase, on a take-or-pay basis, 50% of NioCorp’s planned ferroniobium production from its Elk Creek Project over the first 15 years of production. The Agreement supersedes and replaces the prior ferroniobium and scandium offtake arrangements between NioCorp and Traxys. NioCorp’s existing offtake agreement with ThyssenKrupp Metallurgical Products GmbH (“ThyssenKrupp”) covering the other 50% of NioCorp’s planned ferroniobium production from its Elk Creek Project over the first 10 years of production remains unchanged.
“We’ve always believed the right commercial partner is just as important as the products themselves,” said Mark A. Smith, CEO and Executive Chairman of NioCorp. “Members of our management team have worked with the Traxys team for several decades, and they’ve built an outstanding reputation in these markets. They understand these products, they understand the customers, and we’ve developed a high level of confidence in their team over many years. Expanding that relationship was a logical next step for us.”
“Together with our existing ferroniobium offtake agreement, every product we plan to produce at Elk Creek is now supported by long-term commercial agreements for 15 years of operations with highly reputable commercial partners,” Mr. Smith said. “That puts us in an even stronger position as we advance our remaining financing efforts, including addressing one of the key due diligence items in EXIM’s review of our proposed financing package. Just as importantly, it shows there are experienced market participants willing to commit to the products we expect to bring to market.”
The Agreement is binding on the parties. Deliveries under the Agreement remain subject to completion of project financing, construction of the Elk Creek Project, commencement of commercial production, and the finalization of customary ancillary commercial terms between the parties.

Chili for a Change Supporting Project Response Oct. 29

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:57:00 -0500

Chili fans will have a chance to compete while supporting a good cause at the “Chili for a Change” cook-off Thursday, Oct. 29.
The event, which benefits Project Response during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Nemaha County 4-H Building in Auburn. A free will donation is encouraged and take out will be available.
Entries may include chili and cinnamon rolls. Judges will name first, second and third places for both.
Proceeds will benefit Project Response, Inc. a local nonprofit that provides crisis intervention, advocacy and education for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in southeast Nebraska.
To register, call 402-274-5092 or look for posters with a QR code around Auburn.

County Bridge Severely Damaged by Garbage Truck

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:55:00 -0500

A county bridge located 2 ½ miles east and 2 ½ miles south of Sterling was damaged by a garbage truck owned by Waste Connections of Nebraska Inc., out of Lincoln, in an accident on September 9. The driver of the garbage truck, Trey Erbst of Lincoln was traveling west on 730 Road west of 614 Avenue, as an alternate route to his next collection stop due to a road closure on his regular route.
Erbst passed a bridge weight limit sign indicating an 8 ton limit for a straight truck. He drove the garbage truck, with an empty weight of 36,000 pounds, over the bridge causing the wood deck of the bridge to partially collapse.
As of Friday, October 9, the bridge was being surveyed by engineers to determine whether it could be repaired or would have to be totaled. Damage to the bridge was estimated at $200,000 to $1 million. Damage to the undercarriage of the garbage truck was estimated at $1,000.

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