News | Oakland Independent and The Lyons Mirror-Sun

Mya Bergman (left) outgoing Honored Queen and Keryn Uhing (right) Honored Queen-Elect will take part in an installation service for Job’s Daughters on June 21st.

Tekamah Job’s Daughters to Install New Officers

The Installation of Job’s Daughters members will be held on Saturday, June 21 st at 3 p.m. at the Masonic Hall – 1220 O St. in Tekamah. Officers to be installed will be … more

6/19/25

Co-Chairmen of the Uehling Summer Solstice Dan Von Seggern and Jon Weitzenkamp giving kickball slip-n-slide a go. Without the slippery path! Chickens.

Inaugural kickball slip-n-slide in Uehling

We would still like some more teams for the first Kickball Slip-N-Slide contest. It starts at 2 p.m. west side of Uehling Park. Teams require at least 6. Entry is $60/team. … more

6/16/25

Julie Johnson, president of the Swedish Heritage Center Board, and a host of various groups from the community and Oakland-Craig School have helped plant and maintain over 150 different species of tress and plants at the Troll Stroll in Oakland.

Celebrate Midsommar at the revitalized Troll Stroll

God dag! That means "Good day!" to our non-Swedish friends. The Swedish Heritage Center has a big event coming up in June, and we’d love for you to put it on your calendars. The board has … more

Marilee Groth Heritage Center Board | 6/16/25

Lauren Burkey (14187) runs the Boston Marathon on April 21.

Finish lines crossed as new races begin

It's been a big year for Lauren Burkey. The Fort Calhoun native just finished her master's degree and is engaged to marry Zach Krutilek in October. Additionally, … more

By Grant Egger sports@enterprisepub.com | 6/16/25

Entertained by bubbles, these kids await the candy coming during the 2024 Riverfront Days parade.

Decatur Gears Up for 45th Annual Riverfront Days Celebration, June 13–15

Small-town Decatur is preparing for a big weekend as it hosts the 45th Annual Riverfront Days from June 13 to 15. With the theme “Staying Alive at 45!” , the annual event promises … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 6/13/25

Kick Off Summer with Salad and Support at Lyons Luncheon

Denise Johnson of the Lyons Community Club is excited to see the community come together again as activities heat up right alongside the weather. In … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 6/13/25

It’s been a few years since Kaden Edmister pedaled his way down the course in the 2022 Kids Tractor Pull in Uehling. Mark your calendars for June 21st to enjoy the festivities.

Young peddlers ready to compete at Summer Solstice in Uehling

The Summer Solstice festivities kick off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 with the always-entertaining Kids Tractor Pull Contest in the west parking lot of the auditorium in … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 6/6/25

The four large cottonwood trees by the Troll Stroll are legendary to the community.. In the latter 1800s the trees designated the spot where homesteaders would divide up supplies hauled to Oakland from Arlington, about 30 miles away. Oakland-Craig students have played an important role in the upkeep of the Four Trees/Troll Stroll Park.

If these trees could talk

Oakland history will be told through the story of Four Trees, the site of the Oakland Midsommar Festival on June 22 nd . In the 1870s, pioneers would get their wagons and horses ready for a trip … more

Marilee Groth Heritage Center Board | 6/6/25

Lorelei (Hultquist) Wickstrom, class of 1945, was the oldest alumni present and Mason Pearson, class of 2025, was the youngest alumni present at the Oakland-Craig Alumni Banquet

Oakland-Craig Alumni reunite across generations at annual banquet

Oakland-Craig Alumni gathered on May 24th for the annual banquet held at the Oakland Auditorium. Representatives of the classes of 1945 to 2025 were present. Elizabeth (Loftis) Okereke and … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 6/6/25

Frank and Linda Holiday have been named as the Grand Marshals for Decatur’s 45th annual Riverfront Days to be held June 13th-15th.

Holidays named Grand Marshals For 45th Decatur Riverfront Days Parade

Long-time Decatur residents Frank and Linda Holiday have been named as the Grand Marshals for Decatur’s 45 th annual Riverfront Days to be held June 13 th -15 th . The Holidays will have an … more

Norma Farrens Decatur Community Club | 6/6/25

Artist Bev Ordway’s art on display at the Sears Center.

New Art Exhibit in Decatur by Shy Artist

Just in time for summer is an exhibit of the colorful collection of watercolor paintings by Bev Ordway. This is artist Ordway's first art show and she is nervous. "When I was asked to show some of my … more

Judy Connealy Decatur | 6/6/25

Vivki Lindberg of the American Legion Auxiliary Craig Unit #127. presented the story behind the symbolism of the poppy with students at LDNE. A poster contest was held with the following winners: Odin Johnson - 3rd place (sister Ava is pictured in his absence), Dwayne Basillo - 2nd Place, and Ezekiel Moreno - 1st Place.

Oakland, Craig, Uehling, Hooper remember the fallen, honor the living

5/29/25

KAthy McMahon has found a home in Decatur and is excited to volunteer in a summer reading program at the Sears Center. Children and their parents are welcome to attend each Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. throught the end of summer.

New summer reading group launches for kids in Decatur

Receiving her B.A. in Criminal Jusice and following a long career in customer service and in serving a diversion program for youth, Kathy McMahon has found a home in Decatur. Having settled … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/29/25

Honor Classes recognized at LDNE Alumni Banquet

Alumni from Lyons-Decatur Northeast and the former Lyons High gathered on May 24 th for their annual banquet. The classes of 2010, 2000, and 1975 were recognized. Dale Miller gave the … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/29/25

Helping adjust the hurdles with Oakland-Craig senior Dawson Meyer, Rusty Droescher prepares to start the race at the Oakland-Craig Invite.

Have gun will travel

Education and sports encapsulates the life of Rusty Droescher of Oakland-Craig. The Pierce native turned long-time educator with the O-C District lands dream opportunity as a starter for the … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/23/25

LDNE Stellar Bankers are: (back from left) Kennedy Petersen, Dutch Hardemanl (front from left) Liam Carr, Connor Vacha, and Jossef Sandoval.

Students honored at Federal Reserve for Excellence in School Banking Program

Sixth-grade tellers from Lyons-Decatur Northeast got to spend the day in Omaha at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Tellers from across the state were recognized for their dedication and hard … more

Leah Miller First Northeast Bank of Nebraska | 5/23/25

Basketball/Tennis/Pickel Ball Courts get a refresh in the Beautiful Brink Park in Lyons.

Community Club leads park improvements ahead of 4th of July Festival

At the March meeting of the Community Club, members gathered to discuss much-needed upgrades to the city park’s tennis courts and basketball hoops. After a thoughtful conversation, there was … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/23/25

2025 Oakland-Craig Honor Graduates are (front from left) Brandi Helzer, Morgan Pickell, Elijah Gahan, Bailey Pelan, Brennan Ahrens, Brooke Denton, Madison Enstrom, Karley Eriksen, Blayr Keller and Amy Snader; (back from left) Jeremiah Druckenmiller, Dawson Meyer, Shea Crimmins, Adi Rennerfeldt, William Wilkey, Braylon Anderson, Nolan Magnusson and Corbin Guill.

Half of O-C Class of 2025 graduate with honors

A tremendous academic effort was awarded to 18 deserving graduates from the Oakland-Craig Class of 2025 as the medallion-laden honor students received their diplomas on Saturday. Representing … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/15/25

Marilee Groth was Dr. James Brosnihan's first patient in Oakland on May 29th, 1981 and was also his last on April 30th 2025.

Brosnihan celebrates career spanning four decades

Little did Dr. James Brosnihan, DDS, know 44 years ago when he began his career in dentistry that Oakland would become his mainstay until retirement. The Council Bluffs native attended … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/15/25

Pictured in front of the iconic Koll-Aid man in Hastings, the LDNE Quiz Bowl Team competed in the state Quiz Bowl Tournament. Members include: Adi Salazar, Regina Tomka, Kellyn Knaak, Isabelle Christiansen, Miranda Prieto, Kaylee Knaak, Carter Cooper, Alexa Ashcraft, Kaylin Miller, and Alexander Timm.

Quiz Bowl Team makes run at State

Competing with much larger schools, Lyons-Decatur Northeast Quiz Bowl team proved to be an intellectual force to be reckoned with as they advanced to the quarter-finals undefeated on April 30 th . … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/14/25

Those receiving $1,000 Craig Community Foundation Scholarships are seniors Oakland-Craig Seniors (from left) Madison Enstrom, Karley Eriksen, and Blayr Keller. Not Pictured: Tekamah-Herman's Tate Pruess and ollege students receiving their scholarships for a second year are Emma Johansen, Anastasia Widick, Kara Peterson, and Laryn Johnson.

Craig Community Foundation awards $8,000 in scholarships for leadership and service

The Craig Community Foundation is proud to announce this year’s scholarship winners. Those receiving $1,000 scholarships are seniors Karley Eriksen, Madison Enstrom, Blayr Keller, and Tate … more

5/7/25

Community garage sale to highlight Summer Solstice in Uehling

The longest days of summer are just around the corner, and the Uehling community is preparing for its annual Summer Solstice Celebration, highlighted by a two-day community-wide garage sale event … more

Terri Hoeneman Uehling | 5/7/25

Thirty-six Knights to receive diplomas on Saturday

Friends, family, and Oakland-Craig staff will assemble on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the elementary school gym for commencement exercises awarding diplomas to thirty-six soon-to-be graduates. Honor … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/7/25

Nine-year-old Kendrix Brehmer laid to rest following accidental drowning in Lyons

Community-wide heartache was felt last week in Lyons as Kendrix Brehmer, was found unresponsive in the Lyons Lagoon following an hour-long search for the 9-year-old. A search began … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 5/7/25

Congratulations to the 2025-20226 LDNE FFA Officers: (from left) Aubrey Lauritsen, Avery Bacon, Linden Anderson, Samantha Roth, Alizabeth Whitley, Bennett Andersen, Kwyntin Kampa, and Elijah Schlichting.

Lyons-Decatur FFA Holds Celebration Banquet

The Annual FFA Celebration Banquet was held this past month, recognizing many honors and awards as well as celebrating the past year in the FFA. This banquet represents a celebration of the … more

Kevin Anderson LDNE | 5/7/25