News | Washington County Enterprise

Emergency County Board meeting announced

The Washington County Board of Supervisors announced an emergency meeting will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. in the County Board Meeting Room. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a staging … more

Staff reports | 5/1/24

Karen Tighe poses for a photo at 3023 Country Road 31 after Friday's tornado damaged her home and vehicles. She's lived at the corner of County Road 31 and Country Road 38 for more than five decades.

Longtime Washington County resident experiences tornado up close

Karen Tighe has lived in southern Washington County for more than 50 years. “On this corner,” the 76-year old said from a seat inside her home at 3023 County Road 31. Her windows were … more

By Grant Egger - sports@enterprisepub.com | 4/30/24

Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to individuals at Lakeland Sunday morning. Also pictured with Pillen, from left, are NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis, Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and Board of Supervisors Chairman Steve Dethlefs.

Gov. Pillen visits Lakeland, discusses next steps

Gov. Jim Pillen paid Washington County a visit Sunday morning to spread a message of community and hope following Friday afternoon's tornadoes. Residents affected by the tornado, emergency … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/28/24

A view from County Road 38 shows a Washington County home without a roof Friday evening.

PHOTOS: Washington County tornado April 26, 2024

Joe Burns and Grant Egger | 4/27/24

Volunteers at First Lutheran Church-ELCA gather pallets of water bottles Saturday afternoon. The church was set up as a hub for those in need of supplies and packing material

Red Cross stationed at First Lutheran Church

The American Red Cross set up a disaster relief location at First Lutheran Church in Blair, 2146 Wright St., following Friday afternoon's tornado. The tornado, which reportedly stretched about … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/27/24

Friends and neighbors help with cleanup at the Kobs home along CR 33 Friday.

UPDATE: Curfew in effect in Washington County following tornado

A large tornado hit the Washington County area Friday afternoon. According to the Three Rivers Nebraska Scanner, a tornado emergency was issued around 4 p.m. in Washington County and … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/26/24

A new "Greetings from Blair" mural is now officially completed. The mural is located on Main Street on the side wall of Pavel Insurance.

Blair artist creates mural on Washington Street

Motorists coming into town are now being greeted by a mural exemplifying key monuments and landmarks in the city of Blair. The sign reads "Greetings from Blair" in bubble lettering, reminiscent of … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/26/24

Blair City Council to give LB840 money to townhome project

At its Tuesday meeting, the Blair City Council approved making $200,000 in economic incentives available to Midwest Housing Initiatives Inc. to build the first 16 of what could be 28 townhomes at … more

By Kevin Bumgarner - editor@enterprisepub.com | 4/26/24

Randy Backman is pictured with his family at QLI rehabilitation center in Omaha Sunday afternoon. Pictured from left: Sarah, Randy, Jaydyn and Whitley in front.

Randy Backman shares journey following stroke

Randy Backman has been on a long journey since a sudden stroke in January halted his work, family and volunteer life. A fundraiser for Randy, titled Randy's Warriors, is being held Saturday … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/26/24

Several band concerts to close out season

As the school year rapidly comes to an end, the Fort Calhoun High School Instrumental Music Department has four final concerts to share with the community. First will be the Junior High Band … more

By Mark Jones - Fort Calhoun High School | 4/26/24

Blair FFA chapter sees success at state conference

At State FFA in Lincoln this past week the Blair FFA chapter had much success. Seven of its seniors received their state degrees, which is the second-highest degree an FFA member can achieve. … more

4/26/24

A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday morning to welcome the opening of the Dana Village apartments. Pictured from left: Ryan Dugdale of RVR Bank, Ed Shada of Angel Share, Ryan Durant of RMDX, Abby Johnson of Lutheran Family Services and Will Major of RMDX.

Dana Village opens with ribbon cutting event

Dana Village is officially open and welcoming new residents. The completion of the 61-bedroom apartment complex, located on the former Dana College campus, was punctuated with a ribbon cutting … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/26/24

Mayor Mindy Rump and mock city council members listen to comments by students.

Third-graders learn about city government

“ Working for the city can be fun,” Human Resources manger Ben Guhl told Arbor Park Elementary School students during their visit to Blair City Hall Thursday. Guhl suggested … more

By Joe Burns - photos@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

Donna Henton, center, was the recipient of the 2024 Riverview Grange Community Service Award. Pictured with Donna Henton, from left: Grange President Eldon Wulf, John Henton SR., Denise Cada, Kevin Cada and John Raymond Henton..

Donna Henton receives Riverview Grange award

Riverview Grange recently presented historical archivist, advocate and book writer Donna Henton with the Grange Community Service Award. Her long list of accomplishments and service includes writing … more

Staff reports | 4/23/24

Several Friends of the Library members were recognized for 40 years of service. Pictured, from left: Linda Ferring, Kay Martin, Pat Jorgensen and Janice LaPlante in place of her parents, Mary and Gary Dean.

Friends of the Library celebrates 40 years of volunteerism

The Blair Public Library and Technology Center celebrated 40 years of its Friends group Thursday during National Library Week. The group was formed in March 1984 by 21 individuals. As part … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

Fr. Michael Gutgsell, Fr. Stephen Gutgsell's brother, leads the group in a prayer before dinner is served Saturday evening at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church for the St. John Paul II Classical Academy scholarship fundraiser. The scholarship is being named after Stephen Gutgsell, who was a large supporter of the school and was going to be the school's Latin teacher.

Fundraiser held for St. John Paul II Classical Academy

A scholarship opportunity will assist St. John Paul II Classical Academy students, as well as honor the late Fr. Stephen J. Gutgsell On Saturday evening, guests gathered at St. Francis Borgia … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

A look at the restrooms/shelter at the Adams Street Plaza.

Fort Calhoun City Council approves speed study, Adams Street Plaza pay application

The Fort Calhoun City Council unanimously approved the revised citywide speed control and pedestrian crossing study during the April 15 regular meeting. The speed study was conducted by JEO … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

The Blair High School Concert Choir performs in District Music Competition at Elkhorn High School Friday.

District Music competition a showcase of Washington County musical talent

Blair, Fort Calhoun and Arlington instrumental and vocal students took part in District Music Competition at Elkhorn High School on Friday and Saturday. The competition features hundreds of solo … more

By Joe Burns - photos@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

Judson Cloudt as bailiff drags Briana Kermoade as a factory girl out of the courtroom for an outburst while the courtroom looks on. .

'Fighting for change'

Accents, physical confrontations and monologues are just some elements present in Blair High School's spring play "To See the Stars." Set in 1909-10 in New York City, "To See the Stars" is about … more

By Cheyenne Alexis - features@enterprisepub.com | 4/23/24

A second fire broke out at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Monday afternoon. This comes just six days after a lightning strike between Whitetail Drive and Prairie Lane.

Brush fire re-ignited at DeSoto

A brush fire broke out at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Monday afternoon. This comes just six days after the initial fire, which was caused by a lightning strike to a dead cottonwood tree on … more

Staff reports | 4/22/24

Construction workers began pouring concrete Monday at the Blair south bypass.

Concrete pouring begins for Blair's south bypass

Construction workers have started pouring concrete for the long-awaited south bypass in Blair. The paving has started on the bypass' connecting point with Highway 75 at 10th Street. The new … more

By Kevin Bumgarner - editor@enterprisepub.com | 4/22/24

Little Sioux man charged with murder

Sebastin O'Brien, a 22-year-old from Little Sioux, has been charged with first-degree murder following a vehicle rollover south of Modale on Sunday. O’Brien was identified by the Harrison … more

By Aaron Hickman - news@enterprisepub.com | 4/22/24

Blair school board approves 2024-25 school calendar

The 2024-25 school year calendar approved by the Blair Community Schools Board of Education at the end of a specially called meeting Monday night pushes back the start date by a week for grades K-8, … more

By Kevin Bumgarner - editor@enterprisepub.com | 4/19/24

The limited amount of restaurant, retail and entertainment options in Blair was one of the topics discussed at a recent Blair Housing Authority Committee meeting. Fernando's Cafe & Cantina on Washington Street closed almost two years ago.

Housing committee talks about Blair’s amenities

The number of restaurants, retailers and entertainment options for people living in Blair surfaced as a topic of considerable conversation during the most recent meeting of the city’s Housing … more

By Kevin Bumgarner - editor@enterprisepub.com | 4/19/24

Salad Safari and talent showcase this Sunday in Fort Calhoun

The annual “Salad Safari and talent showcase” will be presented by the Fort Calhoun High School Instrumental Music Department this coming Sunday, April 21. This popular event will begin … more

4/19/24