News | Oakland Independent and The Lyons Mirror-Sun

Missoula Children's Theatre coming to West Point

The Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT), the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre, has been touring extensively for more than 50 years now from Montana to Japan, and will visit nearly 1,000 … more

9/10/26

Tasty treats were served at Coffee on the Porch.

Coffee on the Porch enjoyed at Burt County Museum

For nearly two years, I had heard about 'Cozy Coffee' at the Bryant House. It was an event hosted by the Bryant family for years. On the first Saturday of the month, neighborhood folks were invited … more

Susan Skinner, News Contributor | 9/10/26

Starting back row left to right: Dennis Mussack, Ethan Petersen, Weston Fredrick, Bill Method, Scott Johnson Middle row left to right: Shane McCulloch, Hoss Punke, Garrett Anderson, Jimmy Taylor-Warren, Josh Sides, Chad Noel, Tom Farrens Front row left to right: Molly McCulloch, Emily Kiepke, Theresa Sparks, Kylea Punke, Katie Hennaman, Justin Punke

Decatur Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department Receives $10,000 Grant from State Farm® to Purchase Needed Equipment

The Decatur Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is excited to announce that it is one of 150 volunteer fire departments across the nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the State Farm ® Good … more

9/10/26

POW/MIA Recognition Day event planned in Craig

Craig American Legion Auxiliary Unit 127 will host a National POW/MIA Recognition Day observance Friday, Sept. 18, at Craig Park. Participants should arrive at 5:30 p.m., with a silent lap … more

9/10/26

Prayer Walk Organized for Sept. 23

The ladies of Salem Evangelical Covenant Church invite you to join us for an Oakland/Craig community "Talk and Walk" (prayer walk) on Wednesday evening, September 23, 2026, from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. … more

9/10/26

After 26 years with the newspaper, soon to retire newspaper editor Curt Hineline accepts new role as interim pastor at Salem Covenant Church while continuing to service First Baptist Church of Oakland. His last edition will come out on Sept. 3rd.

After 26 years, Hineline trades newsroom for full-time ministry

After more than a quarter-century in the newspaper business, Curt Hineline’s time with the Oakland Independent and now the Burt County Independent is coming to an end. The Sept. 3 edition of … more

Naomi Gahan News Contributor | 8/26/26

Containing editions of the Lyons Mirror-Sun dating back more than a ceentury, Curt HIneline of the Burt County Independent, left, was pleased to learn that the Lyons Library would like to make these historical documents more accesible to all. Library Director Shauna Self was able to help a patron with family research immediately following the delivery.

Historic Lyons Mirror-Sun Volumes Come Home to Lyons Library

More than a century of Lyons history has come home. The Burt County Independent recently donated its entire collection of bound copies of the Lyons Mirror-Sun to the Lyons Public … more

Curt Hineline editor@burtcountyindependent.com | 8/26/26

The 150th Craig Presbyterian Church anniversary celebration will take place Sunday, September 13th starting with coffee and rolls at 9:00 am in the Craig Auditorium, worship and program at 10:00am in in the church, followed by a noon lunch.

Craig Church Celebrates 150 Years

Before Craig had a town grid or train depot, it had faith. Located at 310 East Pleasant Ave, the First Presbyterian Church of Craig stands as a living bridge to Nebraska’s pioneer past. It … more

8/26/26

Members of Bethel #56 (Tekamah) & Bethel #17 (Norfolk) attended their State Retreat. .Those attending were Keryn Uhing (Bethel #56, Tekamah), Brynn Rusk (Bethel #17, Norfolk), & Emily Wiese (Bethel #56, Tekamah)

Job’s Daughters members attend State Retreat

Members of Tekamah Bethel #56 & Norfolk Bethel #17 attended a retreat at the Masonic Center in Hastings NE on Saturday, August 22nd. The State Officers from the Tekamah & Norfolk Bethels … more

8/26/26

Girl Scout Troop 50015 attebded cano in July. Awaiting their turn on the zipline are: LillyAnn, Maizy, Keona, Paris, Ivy, BreAnna, Bellamy, Nora, Emery, and Lola. While at camp the Scouts earned their outdoor cook badge (cooking 5 ways…stick, foil in coals, camp stove, grilling and no bake). A camp craft and hiking are always included. The zipline tour was optional, but most took advantage of it. Location was Camp Crossed Arrows, north of Nickerson. (Last names intentionally withheld.)

Troop 50015 to reorganize for the new year after Labor Day

The Girl Scouts of Troop 50015 recently had a summer outing to the Amazing Pizza Machine in Omaha. For about ¾ of girls this was their first visit. We ate an unlimited buffet, … more

8/26/26

Hoss Johnson is set to take the wheel in the Roger-Tom Cat Tractor Drive. Hoss is joined by his passanger/father Joe.

Tractors, traditions and memories roll on

Rain did not deter the 16 th Annual Roger-Tom Cat Tractor Drive on Aug. 15, 2026. Thirty-two tractors and two ATVs got a freshwater rinse as they started their journey at Buddies in Tekamah. The … more

Susan Skinner News Contributor | 8/24/26

Arnold George “Animal” Ackerman, 82

Arnold George “Animal” Ackerman, 82, was born on December 28 th 1943, in Tekamah, Nebraska to George J. and Ella M. (Morrison) Ackerman. He passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026, … more

8/24/26

Adam Boggs showed off his talent in a huge way creating this beautiful mural on the side of Nelson's Farm Equipment providing a bright welcome to the Swedish Capital of Nebraska.

Swedish Capital of Nebraska featured in Boggs’ mural

8/21/26

"It's getting there,." Adam Boggs of Norfok is pleased to see the community's design come to life in Oakland. Finished project to be featured in new week's edition of the Burt County Indepednent. Can you identify the Oakland symbols coming into focus?

Mural Brings Oakland’s Story to Highway 77

For decades, travelers entering Oakland along Highway 77 have been greeted by the familiar sight of Nelson Farm Equipment. Now, that landmark is getting a new look, one designed to celebrate the … more

Naomi Gahan News Contributor | 8/15/26

A $1,500 grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation helped Tekamah Lions Club contribute to the construction of the new pickleball courts in Athletic Park. The local club matched the amount of the grant, turning over a $3,000 check to Tekamah Community Foundation on July 31. Attending the presentation were, from left: Tekamah Lions treasurer Kelly Adamson and president Thomas Wenstrom, Tekamah Pickleball Committee team leader Becky Rogers, immediate past Lions Club president Keith Burge, Lions Club project chairman Shawn Wenstrom, District 38-O LCIF Coordinator Mark Jackson, Immediate Past District 38-O Governor Karen Jackson and Tekamah Lion Gregg Miller.

Lions Club Grant Serves Up Support for Pickleball

8/15/26

Celebrating birthdays at the Chatt Center were: (left to right): Becky Kruger, Bill Shamburg, Sandy Brenneis, Paul Shortridge, Kathy Smith, Ed Brenneis, Nancy TeSelle, Alberta Stafford, Gary Yanke, Barb Jensen, Bonnie Fleischman, and Judy Magill.

Birthdays celebrated at Chatt Center

An even dozen were recognized for their August birthdays. Ed Brenneis, Jo Uhing, and Kim Kegler typically serve 70 to 80 meals when broasted chicken is featured. This day, there were 21 … more

Susan Skinner News Contributor | 8/15/26

Generations of fun celebrated at the Oakland Golf Club 100th. This youger generation reunited for the fun celebratory weekend. Pictured are: (back from left) Top left. Evan Muller, Dexter VonEssen, Luke Blanc, Kolton Charling, Dylan mieth, Travis lindstrom, and Chad Hurrell; (front from left) Janelle muller, Ashton VonEssen, Kelly Blanc, Erica Charling, Ashlie Mieth, and Kyla Lindstrom.

Oakland Golf Club celebrates a century on the links

A century of golf was celebrated in Oakland Saturday, Aug. 8, as the Oakland Golf Club marked its 100th anniversary with a day built around both the club’s history and the people who have kept it … more

Curt Hineline editorcurt@gmail.com | 8/15/26

What's a Sweetcorn Festival without a sweetcorn eating contest? These youngsters will be picking corn out of their teeth for days.

Shucking Good Fun in Downtown Tekamah

The smell of buttered sweet corn drifted through downtown Tekamah this Sunday as families wandered between vendor booths and friendly competition unfolded one ear at a time. What has become one of … more

Naomi Gahan News Contributor | 8/5/26

Oakland Golf Club marks a century on the greens

What began as a simple cow pasture has grown into one of northeast Nebraska’s most enduring recreational landmarks. The Oakland Golf Club will celebrate its 100th … more

Curt Hineline editor@burtcountyindependent.com | 8/5/26

With his longtime friends and co fair volunteers at his side, Mort Pearson was surprised to receive the hard-earned Joe Roh, Jr. award for his decades of dedicated service to the Burt County Fair. Pictured are Johnnie Johnson, Mort Pearson, and Dale Miller.

Behind-the-Scenes Service Earns Pearson Fair Honor

Mort Pearson never expected to be standing in front of the crowd accepting an award. In fact, fellow Burt County fair officials had to come up with a story to get him out of the fair … more

Naomi Gahan News Contributor | 8/5/26

Local artists Sheryl Piere, Marilyn Tenney and Paula Swain, have a group exhibit currently on display at The Sears Center in Decatur.

Good… No, great things come in three

Three very well-known Burt County artists, Sheryl Piere, Marilyn Tenney and Paula Swain, have a group exhibit currently on display at The Sears Center in Decatur. "Burt County is so fortunate to … more

8/5/26

Bishop Rev. Scott A. Johnson,.Nebraska Synod—ELCA

St. John’s Lutheran Church--CCL to Celebrate 125 Years

Members of St. John’s Lutheran Church—Cuming County Line, are making plans to celebrate the congregation’s 125 years of ministry on Sunday, Aug. 16. The day will begin with a worship service at … more

8/5/26

Former Oakland Hospital Employees Invited to Reunion

For more than 76 years, the former Oakland Memorial Hospital building has stood as a reminder of the physicians, nurses and employees who devoted themselves to caring for residents of Oakland and the … more

8/5/26

Eagle Scout Landon Ehlers has completed hig Eagle Scout project refurbishing the bridges at the Oakland Troll Stroll and erecting a new sign welcoming visitors.

Ehlers completes journey to Eagle Scout rank

For Landon Ehlers, becoming an Eagle Scout was not the result of one project or one ceremony. It was the culmination of years spent camping, earning merit badges, learning practical skills and … more

Curt Hineline editor@burtcountyindependent.com | 7/30/26

Outstanding Dairy Goat Exhibitor: Taylor Brummond - Sponsored by Brummond Disposal.

Outstanding Exhibitors shine at Burt County Fair

Hundreds of ribbons were awarded throughout the week at the Burt County fair. Within the purple and blues, a select group of 4-H members received one of the highest honors available in their … more

Naomi Gahan News Contributor | 7/30/26