The Blair Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department displays a large flag on 16th and Washington streets during Cruise Night Saturday.

Cruise Night brings thousands to Blair Saturday evening

Supervisor Chairman Steve Dethlefs speaks to a crowd at the Kennard Auditorium Saturday evening to discuss tornado/disaster relief in the county.

County officials discuss tornado relief at town hall

Monika and Justin Philp's home on County Road 32 was one of many that was destroyed following Friday afternoon's tornado.

'One day at a time'

Fort Calhoun High School soon-to-be-graduates Natalie Reichert and Grayson Bouwman were chosen as the class of 2024 valedictorians for Saturday afternoon.

Pioneers to walk the stage Saturday at graduation

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 responds to Expedited Federal Disaster Declaration

Local News

Progress being made at Veterans Tribute Plaza

The Veterans Tribute Plaza Memorial is officially undergoing Phase III about 20 years later. The wall, located on 13th and Washington streets in Blair, was conceptualized in 2002 by original …

From left, Madonna Speech, Occupational and Physical therapists Katie, Faith and Kassie joined Randy Backman in a spin around Kennard in a Kennard fire truck Saturday evening during the benefit for the Backman family.

Randy's Warriors fundraiser held in Kennard

Hundreds of people crowded into the Kennard Auditorium Saturday to enjoy the feast of pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, play bingo and take part in the silent and live auction to benefit the Randy …

County Board approves financing for new Sheriff's Office patrol units

The Washington County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a bid with RVR Bank for financing three patrol units for the Washington County Sheriff's Office April 23 at its regular meeting. …

County Board approves rental contract with Skinny Bones following tornado

The Washington County Board of Supervisors held an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon, and unanimously approved a contract with Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch to establish a staging area for volunteers …

Gov. Pillen requests federal disaster declaration and assistance

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has submitted a request to President Joe Biden requesting a federal disaster declaration for the state. It includes a request for federal assistance …

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Weekly poll

How would you rate the response by government officials following April 26’s tornadoes in Washington County?

This week's E-Edition

Friday, May 3, 2024

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Athlete of the Week: Sam Genoways (April 24, 2024)

Athlete of the Week: Caleb Funk (April 17, 2024)

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Dylan Swanson, from left, Kaden Foust and Emilee Thayer-Mencke are the new Nannen Physical Therapy Athletes of the Week.

Local sports

2023-24 Athletes of the Week, Part 32

Welcome to the Nannen Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week Club Dylan Swanson, Austyn Flesner and Emilee Thayer-Mencke. Let’s get right into it. Dylan Swanson, Blair baseball: The senior Doane …

The Blair High School girls soccer team ended its 2024 season Saturday as the Class B-8 District Final runner-up. The Bears lost 4-2 to Columbus Scotus, finishing the year 11-6 overall.

Postseason Update: Blair girls soccer drops district final, 4-2

The Blair High School girls soccer team closes the 2024 season one win shy of its program’s first state tournament in 21 years. The Bears lost to Columbus Scotus on Saturday, 4-2, at Krantz …

The 2024 Blair High School baseball team won the Class B-6 District title Friday at Vets Field, securing their school's first state tournament berth since 2017.

Postseason Update: Blair baseball earns 1st state trip since 2017

The Blair High School baseball team is returning to the NSAA Class B State Championships for the first time since 2017. The Bears (11-11 overall) beat Platte Valley 2-1 Friday to secure their spot …

Blair junior Brynn Ray, middle, celebrates a first-half goal with teammates Laynie Brown, left, and Taytum Macholan on Tuesday at Krantz Field. The Bears beat Omaha Roncalli in subdistrict play.

Starting the postseason right

The Blair High School girls soccer team entered postseason play on a four-match losing streak. It ended that skid decisively Tuesday during its first game of the Class B-3 Subdistrict Tournament at …

Blair senior Crayton Macholan, top, heads the ball over Norfolk Catholic/Lutheran High's Aiden Corr on Monday during the Class B-4 Subdistrict Tournament at South Sioux City. The Bears advanced to the subdistrict final with a 4-1 win against the Knights.

Blair boys go 1-1 in subdistrict play

Blair High School senior soccer player Crayton Macholan gave a status update Monday after the first match of the Class B-4 Subdistrict Tournament in South Sioux City. “Still alive,” he …

Fort Calhoun's Kaylee Taylor competes in the triple jump Monday during the Nebraska Capitol Conference Meet at Douglas County West. The Pioneers and Arlington Eagles participated after the event was postponed from Saturday.

Eagles outdo Pioneers at NCC track meet

The Arlington High School boys fell just eight points shy of first place Monday during the Nebraska Capitol Conference Track & Field Championships in Valley. With rainwater lining the edges of …

Fort Calhoun senior Owen Miller putts Tuesday at Elkhorn Valley Golf Club. The Pioneer shot his team's low score during the Logan View Invite.

High School Golf Roundup (May 3, 2024)

FCHS plays 18 in Hooper Owen Miller played Elkhorn Valley Golf Club's nine holes twice Tuesday, leading the Fort Calhoun Pioneers with an 18-hole score of 87 strokes. The Hastings College recruit …

Obituaries

LaRae Moseman, 87

LaRae K. Moseman, age 87, of Hooper, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Dunklau Gardens. LaRae Katherine Moseman was born on Sept.15, 1936, in Hooper, Neb., to William and Esther (Stuenkel) …

Julie Masters, 60

Julie Ann Masters of Indianola, Iowa, was born in Omaha, Neb., on Sept. 2, 1963. She passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at the University of Iowa Hospital on April 27, 2024. Julie …

Dana (Tillotson) Holler, 59

Dana (Tillotson) Holler, age 59 of Blair, passed away April 29, 2024. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair. Visitation with …

Marilyn Baxter, 79

Marilyn Marie Baxter, age 79, passed away April 21, 2024, in Omaha, Neb. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Abiding Faith Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun, …

Helen Booton, 88

Helen Booton, age 88, passed into her heavenly rest on April 21, 2024. in Omaha, Neb. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blair. …

Steven Hunt, 59

Steven W. Hunt, age 59 of Fremont, died peacefully on April 15, 2024, at Fremont Methodist Hospital. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday April 22, 2024, at Campbell Aman Funeral Home. …

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Letters

Letter to the editor

Imagine you are a parent struggling to make ends meet, to pay for housing, clothing and food for your family. We all know, first hand, how expensive groceries are these days. Putting food on the …

Letter to the editor

My letter is not written to address politics over the war between Israel and Palestine. This letter addresses gun ownership and the dangers of government gun control and gun confiscation. Prior to …

Letter to the editor

Gov. Pillen/Sen. Linehan pushed LB 753 through this spring — it provides tax credits to wealthy donors who give to private schools. While this sounds good, what the public needs to realize is …

Letter to the editor

Thank you so much for your story on the Cook Family and their legacy of service. My maiden name is Cook, so the story caught my eye. I did a little research on Family Search.org and found that …

Letter to the editor

I want to thank the Enterprise Media Group for the wonderful coverage of the Washington County Museum, located in Fort Calhoun, Neb. The museum, a part of the Washington County Historical …

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Columnists

All about the Bronze Age

There have been a number of historic events in the history of humanity, such as the Industrial Revolution, that have changed the direction and future of the human race. Our early human …

Drawing strength through God

Last Saturday morning, I visited some of our parishioners who had lost their homes to the tornadoes. As I drove toward their homes – or what was left – it was a sad picture of houses …

The history of wood creations

During a time of dramatic climate change some 200,000 to 300,000 years ago there is evidence for the first modern humans turning up in southern Africa. Fossil evidence shows that humans had later …

Devotional: Will AI become almighty?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most fascinating and astounding creations ever made. AI is a branch of computer science that can simulate human intelligence. AI is implemented by machines …

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Editorials

- Editorial: Washington County’s recovery ultimately will come down to neighbors helping neighbors
  
  In the days to come, more and more data related to last Friday’s tornado outbreak will become available. But consider these numbers for …
- Editorial: Post-prom parties alive and well in Washington County
  
  In some parts of the country, the high school rite of passage known as the post-prom party is no more. A victim of the COVID closure culture and …
- Editorial: Park supporters can’t lose focus before Blair’s crown jewel is finished
  
  The recreational opportunities soon to be available in the city of Blair took a big step forward last week when the Blair City Council …
- Editorial: Eppley Airfield project is important for Wash. Co.
  
  So Eppley Airfield is getting a $950 million renovation. That’s Omaha. Why should we care? For starters, most of us fly. And many of …
- Editorial: Solving Blair’s housing shortage will require multiple solutions
  
  The city of Blair’s tight housing market is no secret. But just how tight it is might be a surprise, even to those who know we have a …

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