News | Oakland Independent and The Lyons Mirror-Sun

Cougars open season in Triangular with Fort Calhoun and Tekamah-Herman

The Cougars opened the 2025 golf season at River Wilds Golf Course in Blair with a triangular featuring LDNE, Fort Calhoun and Tekamah-Herman. Senior Gavin Hardeman led the way for the Cougars … more

Karl Lundquist Sports Reporter | 4/11/25

Making presentations at the Greater Nebraska Science & Engineering Fair are (from left) Kaylee Tomka, Ryanna Bacon, Avery Bacon, Carsyn Miller, Kaylin Miller, Alexander Timm, Kellyn Knaak, Caroline Timm, and Dakotta Erickson.

LDNE takes top honors at 2 STEM research competitions

Thirty-four LDNE 7-12 students traveled to Wayne State College Friday, March 28th to present their individual STEM research projects at the Northeastern Region Junior Nebraska Academy of Science … more

Paul Timm LDNE Science Instructor | 4/11/25

So much emotion can be seen on Oakland-Craig Lady Knights Coach Scott Guzinski immediately following the school's first ever state basketball championship.

Huge honors for Oakland-Craig’s Scott Guzinski

Being named Coach of the Year by the Nebraska Coaches Association, Huskerland Preps Class C2, and the Nebraska Coaches Association – Hudl, Scott Guzinski of Oakland-Craig is among the elite … more

4/4/25

Brining home medals from the Nebraska State Speech Meet are, from left, Naomi Gahan - 5th Place Extemporaneous, Brooklyn Richards - 5th Place Oral Interpretation of Poetry, Grace Wallerstedt - Champion in Entertainment , and Lily Peterseon - 3rd Place Program Oral Interpretation.

Wallerstedt earns Champion in Entertainment

O-C junior Grace Wallerstedt finished as the Class C2 State Champion in Entertainment Speaking at the NSAA State Speech Championships in Kearney on Thursday. Wallerstedt earned first-place rankings … more

Karl Lundquist Reporter | 4/4/25

Competing for LDNE Quiz Bowl are: back from left, Carter Cooper, Alexander Timm, and Kellyn Knaak; front from left, Regina Tomka, Kaylin Miller, Miranda Chavira-Prieto, and Kaylee Tomka.

LDNE Quiz Bowl Champs are headed to State

Lyons-Decatur Northeast competed against 15 area teams on Monday, March 24 in the ESU2 quiz bowl held at the Nielsen Center in West Point, Nebraska. The quiz bowl team went undefeated through the … more

4/4/25

Pathways 2 Tomorrow (P2T) HOSA member Joelle Peatrowsky, a junior at Guardian Angel Central Catholic, has been selected as a HOSA State Officer for the 2025-2026 School Year. Peatrowsky is one of only six HOSA State Officers statewide. HOSA state officers, elected by their peers, lead the state association, advocate for HOSA, and guide the organization's activities, including attending conferences, training, and networking events. Joelle is the daughter of Alan and Paula Peatrowsky of West Point.

P2T HOSA Members Compete at the State Leadership Conference

Members of the Pathways 2 Tomorrow (P2T) HOSA chapter showcased their skills and leadership at the State Leadership Conference held on March 9-11, 2025 at Creighton University. Thirty-three … more

Daniel Bridges HOSA Advisor P2T Instructor | 4/4/25

Among the volunteers coming together at the Uehling Fire and Rescue Department to serve their community following the recent blizzard are (from left) Rob Reinert, Zack Ackerman, Grant Uehling, Jen Egbers, two members of the Red Cross, Travis Christiansen, and Ron Schommer.

Uehling Fire and Rescue opens doors during blizzard

When last week’s powerful blizzard struck, leaving Uehling residents without power for nearly three days, the Uehling Fire and Rescue Department became a beacon of hope for the community. … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/27/25

Miriel Brolaw wowed the crowd with a vocal solo, showcasing her vocal range and artistry while providing her own accompaniment on guitar.

Music Boosters host Chili Feed Evening of Music

The Lyons-Decatur Northeast (LDNE) Music Boosters held a vibrant and successful fundraising event on March 18th in the school's old gym. The event, which aimed to showcase the exceptional talents of … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/27/25

Residents awoke to sunny skies and 8-10" of snow following the March blizzard. Rusty Droescher works to clear the sidewalk of the heavy wet snow.

A March storm to remember

On March 19th, Burt County was hit by a winter storm that will be talked about for years to come. Wind gusts over 60 miles per hour were blowing snow throughout the county. It was next to … more

Jason Redding-Geu Burt County Emergency Management Director | 3/27/25

Oakland-Craig Speech Team brings home 3rd Place from the District Speech Meet in Hartington. Members include (front from left) *Amy Snader, *Grace Wallerstedt, *Brooklyn Richards, *William Wilkey, Josie Howell-Black, Elijah Gahan, *Lily Petersen, *Naomi Gahan; (middle from left) Ashlynne Gramke, *Winston Wilkey, Max Bures, *Dawson Meyer, Collin Johnson, Logan Gramke; (back from left) Mr. Lierman, Josie Peterson, Jalie Meyer, Ellinor Johnson, Lily Kopietz, Aubrey Logemann, Piper Tanksley, and Nancy Lierman. (* denotes state qualifier.)

It’s a great day to be a Knight

Oakland-Craig qualified eight students in eight different events at the Class C-2 District 3 competition held at Hartington-Newcastle High School on Friday. The meet was originally scheduled for … more

Karl Lundquist Reporter | 3/27/25

Congratulations to the speech team members who placed at the district competition in Hartington on Friday..Kaylin Miller placed 6th in Eentertainment, Miriel Brokaw placed 3rd in Serious Prose, and Adonai Salazar captured 6th in Poetry.

Salazar, Miller and Brokaw medal at District Speech

LDNE qualified one student for the 2025 NSAA State Speech Championships at the Class C-2 District 3 competition held at Hartington-Newcastle High School on Friday. The meet was originally scheduled … more

Karl Lundquist Reporter | 3/27/25

Green Lantern Steakhouse to suspend food service as bar remains open.

Green Lantern Steakhouse to stop serving food after March 29th; bar remains open

After nearly 70 years of serving delicious meals to locals and visitors from far and wide, Green Lantern Steakhouse in Decatur will cease serving food after March 29th. The decision comes after a … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/27/25

Vic Douglas (right) lays some hurt on Mac (left) in a recent Next Level Wrestling match in Fremont.

Championship professional wrestling returns to Oakland

For many wrestlers well into their 60’s, their shoes were symbolically left in the center of the mat signifying retirement. Although the shoes may still remain in the ring, former World … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/21/25

Rehearsing for UFFDA's upcoming productions are Stacie Schissel, Traci Hilbers, and Kalee Olson. They are having a little tea as they have arrived the funeral home to view Mr. Prescott.

Rehearsals continue in Uehling

UFFDA (Uehling Famous Follies and Drama Association) rehearsal for “Frederick J Prescott” (the cast is referring to this one at Freddy) is underway as well as “Will’s … more

3/21/25

Annual OWC Ladies Night Out

The Oakland Women’s Club invites you to grab your best Denim & Diamonds and join the fun at the Annual Ladies Night Out on March 28th Doors open for social hour starting at 5:30 p.m. and … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/21/25

UNL Extension Assistant, Burt County, Stacey Keys helps guide area freshman as the participate in education/career simulation in Lyons. The event was brought by the Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) and Nebraska Extension and 4-H to help area youth as they begin laying the foundation for their future.

Burt County students connect the dots in Lyons

The 9th grade students from Lyons-Decatur Northeast, Oakland-Craig and Tekamah-Herman participated in “Connecting the Dots: A Career Exploration … more

Stacey Keys, Burt County 4-H Extension Assistant | 3/21/25

Lady Knights get it done in Lincoln securing a Class C2 State Basketball Championship over the weekend. Congratulations to coaches Scot Guzinski, Chris Johnson, and Eric Mlinar and team members (front from left) Carolyn Magnusson, Briar Ray, Bailey Pelan, Adi Rennerfeldt, Emma Anderson, and Sabrina Rost; back from left, Naomi Gahan, Brinley Burton, Brylee Ahrens, Marysa Moseman, Hilary Ray, Sonya Guzinski, and Mia Thomsen! Read more on the amazing feat inside.

Victorious! Lady Knights win first their ever State Championship

In spectacular fashion, the Lady Knights showed grit, determination, poise, and good ol’ fashion ballhandling to earn the big trophy as the Nebraska Class C2 State Champions. … more

Karl Lundquist Sports Reporter | 3/13/25

Long-time Oaklanders Dillon and Kelli Johnson step into business ownership with the purchase of Nelson's Bar and Grill. Formerly known as the Tilted Table.

Johnsons become Main Street business owners

After a 5-year run at the Tilted Table Bar and grill in Oakland, Zach Krutilek has opted to sell the successful business to Dillon and Kelli Johnson. The couple will open the business under the … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 3/13/25

Kent Hoeneman prepares for his role in the comedy, Will's Grandma to be performed in Uehling on April 5.

Spring theatrical production in Uehling

Roderick Zimmerman (Kent Hoeneman) is preparing for the comedy, “Will’s Grandma” to be presented Saturday, April 5 th in the Uehling Auditorium. There will be a brunch … more

3/13/25

Martin E. Marty: Lutheran Historian, Theologian and Friend

During the week of Feb. 24-28, 2025, seven planets in our solar system aligned in what has been called a planet parade, or planetary alignment, something seen approximately every 80 … more

Rev. Judith K. Johnson, Elim Lutheran and St. Paul’s Lutheran Hooper, NE | 3/13/25

Sharing her research on the influences of star metallicity atmospheric composition, LDNE's Kaylin Miller is happy to discuss her findings.

Eleventh grader presents science research at Iowa State

Some kids just have their heads up in the clouds. For Lyons-Decatur 11th grader Kaylin Miller, this phrase takes on a whole new meaning. Her mind has been pondering the atmospheres of … more

Paul Timm LDNE Science | 3/13/25

Decatur Community Members Gather to Envision the Future

The Future of Decatur Foundation Fund (FDFF) hosted a successful community visioning session at the Sears Senior Center on March 2, bringing together residents to discuss their hopes and ideas for … more

3/13/25

East Husker Conference Speech awards plenty to Oakland-Craig

The O-C Speech team earned placings in all 10 events and finished as the team runner-up at the EHC East Division Speech Meet held on Wednesday in Tekamah. Juniors Grace Wallerstedt and … more

Karl Lundquist Sports Reporter | 3/6/25

Helping to welcome Oakland-Craig senior Braylon Anderson (center) to the 1000 Point Club are members Michael Peterson, Jason Peterson, Kirk Eriksen, and Carter Thiele. Not pictured are members Kurtis Charling, Zach Rosenboom, and Garrett Seagren.

Elite basketball club members recognized

The following script was written by O-C basketball coaches Aaron Meyer and Scott Guzinski read by O-C PA announcer Doug Anderson to recognize Adi Rennerfeldt and Braylon Anderson on Friday night … more

3/6/25

Frelon Ann (Larsen) Danielson, 93

Frelon Ann (Larsen) Danielson was born on September 4, 1931, to Ben and Violet (Carlson) Larsen at a rural Nebraska home near Oakland, NE. Frelon passed away on February 26, 2025, at … more

3/6/25