The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Knox County announced recently that Kevin Cook of Verdigre was elected to represent his Local Administrative Areas (LAA) during the recent county committee election.
All recently elected county committee members took office on March 2.
Every FSA office is served by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers, and foresters who are elected by local producers. Other members currently serving on the FSA County Committee include Brady Folck, Chairman; Taylor Hanefeldt, Kathryn Lauck, Michael Crosley and Larry Wright.
All recently elected county committee members took office on March 2.
Every FSA office is served by a county committee made up of local farmers, ranchers, and foresters who are elected by local producers. Other members currently serving on the FSA County Committee include Brady Folck, Chairman; Taylor Hanefeldt, Kathryn Lauck, Michael Crosley and Larry Wright.
Work to decommission the Spencer Hydroelectric Facility and Dam is getting underway. The Spencer Advocate sent photos to the Tribune this week.
The decommissioning will involve removing the remaining structure and material from the site and restoring the property to its natural state, including grading the land and seeding the site. Drivers should be aware of increased heavy vehicle traffic in the area, while the decommissioning work is being completed.
Nebraska Public Power District has contracted with Bradenburg Industrial services Company to complete the work, which is anticipated to be finished by year-end.
The Spencer Dam was damaged beyond repair in the 2019 flood. The dam collapsed as a result of the ice and backed water which overtook the dam taking out flood gates, the back wall of the hydroelectric facility as well as the earthen part of the dam on the early morning of March 14, 2019.
The decommissioning will involve removing the remaining structure and material from the site and restoring the property to its natural state, including grading the land and seeding the site. Drivers should be aware of increased heavy vehicle traffic in the area, while the decommissioning work is being completed.
Nebraska Public Power District has contracted with Bradenburg Industrial services Company to complete the work, which is anticipated to be finished by year-end.
The Spencer Dam was damaged beyond repair in the 2019 flood. The dam collapsed as a result of the ice and backed water which overtook the dam taking out flood gates, the back wall of the hydroelectric facility as well as the earthen part of the dam on the early morning of March 14, 2019.
The Crofton Lady Warriors saw their season come to an end in the first round of the 2026 NSAA Class C2 Girls State Basketball Tournament at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 4.
After earning their way to the state tournament with a 52-40 win over Elmwood-Murdock in the Class C2 District Eight championship, the Lady Warriors were granted the number seven seed in the 2026 Class C2 Girls State Championship bracket, which matched them up against the number two seed, the undefeated Elkhorn Valley Lady Falcons.
With their loss in the first round of the 2026 NSAA Class C2 Girls State Basketball Tournament, the Lady Warriors finished the year with a record of 19-8. The trio of Anthony, Ostermeyer, and Janssen have all seen their high school basketball careers come to an end.
To read more about the Lady Warriors, check out this week's edition of The Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
After earning their way to the state tournament with a 52-40 win over Elmwood-Murdock in the Class C2 District Eight championship, the Lady Warriors were granted the number seven seed in the 2026 Class C2 Girls State Championship bracket, which matched them up against the number two seed, the undefeated Elkhorn Valley Lady Falcons.
With their loss in the first round of the 2026 NSAA Class C2 Girls State Basketball Tournament, the Lady Warriors finished the year with a record of 19-8. The trio of Anthony, Ostermeyer, and Janssen have all seen their high school basketball careers come to an end.
To read more about the Lady Warriors, check out this week's edition of The Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
By: Darin Babcock - CCS Journalism
The Crofton Speech Team placed 4th as a team with nine individual medalists at their home meet on Saturday, February 21.
Medalists included: Katie Neuharth, with second place in informative, Sophia Wortmann, with second place in entertainment, Cecilia Wortmann, with a fourth place in extemp and a fourth place in POI, Claire Marsh, with a fourth place in informative, Corbin Bernt, with a fifth place in extemp, and Fred Dennis, with a sixth place in humorous prose.
Both of Crofton’s OIDs medaled. The team of Fred Dennis, Kaden Arens, Katie Neuharth, Natalee Steffen, and Sophia Wortmann, placed fifth. The team of Aven Hansen, Avery Arens, Brooklyn Guenther, Hudsyn Stout, and Kaiija Hess, placed sixth.
The Crofton Speech Team placed 4th as a team with nine individual medalists at their home meet on Saturday, February 21.
Medalists included: Katie Neuharth, with second place in informative, Sophia Wortmann, with second place in entertainment, Cecilia Wortmann, with a fourth place in extemp and a fourth place in POI, Claire Marsh, with a fourth place in informative, Corbin Bernt, with a fifth place in extemp, and Fred Dennis, with a sixth place in humorous prose.
Both of Crofton’s OIDs medaled. The team of Fred Dennis, Kaden Arens, Katie Neuharth, Natalee Steffen, and Sophia Wortmann, placed fifth. The team of Aven Hansen, Avery Arens, Brooklyn Guenther, Hudsyn Stout, and Kaiija Hess, placed sixth.
The Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District reminds all producers farming in Phase II areas that annual nitrogen management reports are due March 1.
Following the transition to Producer Connect, reports must be submitted through the new reporting system. Please ensure your information is entered accurately and submitted prior to the deadline.
Landowners remain ultimately responsible for compliance; however, renters and agronomists are encouraged to assist with reporting.
Once you have registered with Producer Connect you must contact the LNNRD office at 402-775-2343 to assign your fields.
Following the transition to Producer Connect, reports must be submitted through the new reporting system. Please ensure your information is entered accurately and submitted prior to the deadline.
Landowners remain ultimately responsible for compliance; however, renters and agronomists are encouraged to assist with reporting.
Once you have registered with Producer Connect you must contact the LNNRD office at 402-775-2343 to assign your fields.
The first Northeast Nebraska Elementary Honor Choir was held at Holy Trinity Gym in Hartington on February 23.
The choir under the direction of Mrs. Tracy Anderson, Vocal Music teacher at Wayne Community schools consisted of fifth and sixth grade students from 10 Northeast Nebraska schools.
13 students from Crofton Public School and St. Rose attended.
Crofton Public
Grace Steffen
Emerson O’Brien
Rex Lancaster
Logyn Mueller
Caleb Mauch
Cassidy Mauch
Harlow Fillips
St. Rose
Caden Luebbe
Paige Dickes
Morgan Acuff
Waylon Gobel
Adalee Babcock
Grant Marsh
The choir under the direction of Mrs. Tracy Anderson, Vocal Music teacher at Wayne Community schools consisted of fifth and sixth grade students from 10 Northeast Nebraska schools.
13 students from Crofton Public School and St. Rose attended.
Crofton Public
Grace Steffen
Emerson O’Brien
Rex Lancaster
Logyn Mueller
Caleb Mauch
Cassidy Mauch
Harlow Fillips
St. Rose
Caden Luebbe
Paige Dickes
Morgan Acuff
Waylon Gobel
Adalee Babcock
Grant Marsh
Three Crofton Lady Warrior basketball teammates were honored during their game on February 10. Addyson Ostermeyer, left, Jaisie Janssen, center, and Jacee Anthony, right, were given their senior plaques. Photo from CCS Social Media.
On Feb. 11, the Knox County Roads Dept reported damage to a bridge 1.2 miles south of Bazille Mills, on 530 Ave.
The guardrail on the west side of the bridge was damaged by a vehicle travelling south. Several pieces of the vehicle were recovered from the scene.
If anyone has information about who is responsible for the damage in this accident, notify the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
The guardrail on the west side of the bridge was damaged by a vehicle travelling south. Several pieces of the vehicle were recovered from the scene.
If anyone has information about who is responsible for the damage in this accident, notify the Knox County Sheriff's Office.
From Left to Right, Coach Jason Berry, Addyson Ostermeyer, Coach Mickey Doerr, Robyn and Johnnie Ostermeyer look on as Crofton Senior Addyson Ostermeyer signed to continue her track and field at Concordia University.
The new Clubhouse at the Crofton Lakeview Golf Course is coming along nicely as shown in the photo near this caption. At the Board’s meeting in January, the group was discussing interior designs and amenities, and have plans for everything to be ready and completed for the Crofton golf invitational in June.
By: Armana Sprakel - CCS Journalism
The Crofton Lady Warriors faced off against the Wayne Blue Devils on Monday Feb. 2, at GACC for round one of the Mid-State Conference tournament.
The Lady Warriors went into the tournament 14-5 and moved to 15-5 after defeating the Blue Devils in a thriller.
The Warriors were led by senior Jaisie Janssen who had 20 points, followed by sophomore Emma Kuchta with 8. The Lady Warriors were motivated to make a statement, junior Seanna Pinkelman said, ”We went into the game knowing we had to have a good attitude and confidence even if we made a mistake. We knew we had to prove ourselves so we could come out strong for the next game.”
The Crofton Lady Warriors faced off against the Wayne Blue Devils on Monday Feb. 2, at GACC for round one of the Mid-State Conference tournament.
The Lady Warriors went into the tournament 14-5 and moved to 15-5 after defeating the Blue Devils in a thriller.
The Warriors were led by senior Jaisie Janssen who had 20 points, followed by sophomore Emma Kuchta with 8. The Lady Warriors were motivated to make a statement, junior Seanna Pinkelman said, ”We went into the game knowing we had to have a good attitude and confidence even if we made a mistake. We knew we had to prove ourselves so we could come out strong for the next game.”
By: Darin Babcock - CCS Journalism
The Crofton Speech Team went to the West Holt Speech Invite for the first time on Saturday Feb. 7.
Despite missing part of the team due to conflicting basketball games, Crofton put up some strong competition.
Medalists included Sophia Wortmann, first place in Entertainment; Cecilia Wortmann, third place in POI and fourth place in Extemp; Crofton’s OID, consisting of Fred Dennis, Kaden Arens, Katie Neuharth, Natalee Steffen, and Sophia Wortmann, got second place; and Claire Marsh, first place in JV POI.
Katie Neuhearth, a member of the OID, comments on Crofton's progress so far this year. “The OID is going great this year,” she said, “We have creative blocking and the script is fun for us to perform.”
The Crofton Speech Team went to the West Holt Speech Invite for the first time on Saturday Feb. 7.
Despite missing part of the team due to conflicting basketball games, Crofton put up some strong competition.
Medalists included Sophia Wortmann, first place in Entertainment; Cecilia Wortmann, third place in POI and fourth place in Extemp; Crofton’s OID, consisting of Fred Dennis, Kaden Arens, Katie Neuharth, Natalee Steffen, and Sophia Wortmann, got second place; and Claire Marsh, first place in JV POI.
Katie Neuhearth, a member of the OID, comments on Crofton's progress so far this year. “The OID is going great this year,” she said, “We have creative blocking and the script is fun for us to perform.”
There will be no driver's license exams given at the Center on Friday, February 20, 2026 due to State staffing shortage.
Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership will hold the Creighton WIC and Immunization Clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the NENCAP Building, 808 Chase Ave., Creighton, NE 68729. For an appointment or more information, persons can call 402-385-6300.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for incumbents to file for the following Partisan races being Federal, State and County Offices, Supervisors Districts 1,3, 5 and 7 and the following Nonpartisan races being Legislative District 40, State Board of Education District 6, Northeast Community College District 2, Natural Resource Districts, School Boards, City Mayors, City Councilmembers At Large, and City Airport Authority races.
An incumbent is anyone serving in an elective office, even if it is not the office for which they are filing.
Nonpartisan candidates have until 5 P.M. on March 2, 2026 to file for Primary races.
Some races require that a filing fee be paid and others require that both a filing fee be paid along with a financial disclosure statement be completed, so it is recommended that candidates contact Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer at clerk@knoxcountyne.gov or call 402-288-5604.
An incumbent is anyone serving in an elective office, even if it is not the office for which they are filing.
Nonpartisan candidates have until 5 P.M. on March 2, 2026 to file for Primary races.
Some races require that a filing fee be paid and others require that both a filing fee be paid along with a financial disclosure statement be completed, so it is recommended that candidates contact Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer at clerk@knoxcountyne.gov or call 402-288-5604.
The Crofton Youth Basketball Association teams competed in area tournaments during the weekend of Saturday, January 31st through Sunday, February 1st.
Most of the boys teams competed in the Bon Homme tournament inside the Bon Homme High School gymnasium in Tyndall, South Dakota, on Saturday, January 31st.
Some of the boys teams and all of the girls teams who competed over the weekend played in the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge tournament inside the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge High School gymnasium in Laurel.
Most of the boys teams competed in the Bon Homme tournament inside the Bon Homme High School gymnasium in Tyndall, South Dakota, on Saturday, January 31st.
Some of the boys teams and all of the girls teams who competed over the weekend played in the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge tournament inside the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge High School gymnasium in Laurel.
On January 25, the Crofton-Bloomfield young wrestlers held the Brandon Nelson Memorial Dual Tournament, at the Bloomfield High School. “It has been a few years since we’ve done this and although it was smaller than it had been in the past, we had a great turnout, and our kids wrestled the best they have all year,” said Coach Michael Magorian. “We had a couple of teams have to drop out due to illness and prior commitments, but both Creighton and Plainview youth wrestling clubs joined us and said they will definitely return next year.”
The Crofton Community School’s “Students of the Term” have been released for the fourth term of the 2024-25 school year.
The Students of the Term are:
High School: Jace Panning
Junior High: Gavin Mueller
Students are nominated by teachers for many reasons, not just grades. Some of the reasons students were nominated are helping faculty and staff, tutoring students that are struggling, coming in for extra help before and after school, or just being a good classmate. Teachers can nominate a high school student and a junior high student.
Others nominated:
High School: Jacee Athony, Brady Guenther, Kaydence Nielsen, Sophia Wortmann, Margo Miller, Maci Foxhoven, Cali Bauch, Katie Neuharth, Dominik Emery, Athena Vau, Luke DeRoos, Isaac Steffen, Kaija Hess, Corbin Bernt, Cecilia Wortmann, Macy Baker, Collyns Stout
Junior High: Summer Haberman, Heather Steffen, Hadley Becker, Dylan Gulbranson, Bre Schieffer, Cairi Culliton, Nash Drotzmann, Jarrett Johnson, Gaia Vau, Karsyn Hart, Rex Sailer, Ruby Wilkins, Chesney Foxhoven, William Babcock
The Students of the Term are:
High School: Jace Panning
Junior High: Gavin Mueller
Students are nominated by teachers for many reasons, not just grades. Some of the reasons students were nominated are helping faculty and staff, tutoring students that are struggling, coming in for extra help before and after school, or just being a good classmate. Teachers can nominate a high school student and a junior high student.
Others nominated:
High School: Jacee Athony, Brady Guenther, Kaydence Nielsen, Sophia Wortmann, Margo Miller, Maci Foxhoven, Cali Bauch, Katie Neuharth, Dominik Emery, Athena Vau, Luke DeRoos, Isaac Steffen, Kaija Hess, Corbin Bernt, Cecilia Wortmann, Macy Baker, Collyns Stout
Junior High: Summer Haberman, Heather Steffen, Hadley Becker, Dylan Gulbranson, Bre Schieffer, Cairi Culliton, Nash Drotzmann, Jarrett Johnson, Gaia Vau, Karsyn Hart, Rex Sailer, Ruby Wilkins, Chesney Foxhoven, William Babcock
“Nothin’ but Treble” is a fun and energetic youth choir led by Katie Klienschmit made up of students in third through sixth grade. During the season, students worked together to develop proper singing techniques, explore harmonies, and learn a mix of Christmas carols and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” An incredible 61 students signed up for the group this year. “Nothin’ but Treble” wrapped up this season by performing “The Star-Spangled Banner at the Warrior basketball game on Friday, January 23.
The public can now find the Knox County and State candidate filings on the Knox County website.
Go to the Knox County website at knoxcountyne.gov and then select the Elections department.
There on the Elections Office page towards the bottom of the middle column you will find the links “2026 Knox County List of Candidate Filings” and “Statewide Candidate Filing List”.
Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer will be updating the Knox County listing of 2026 Primary and General Election candidates throughout the business day if possible, or at least several times a day depending on filings.
Call Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer at 402-288-5604 or email clerk@knoxcountyne.gov with any questions you may have.
Go to the Knox County website at knoxcountyne.gov and then select the Elections department.
There on the Elections Office page towards the bottom of the middle column you will find the links “2026 Knox County List of Candidate Filings” and “Statewide Candidate Filing List”.
Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer will be updating the Knox County listing of 2026 Primary and General Election candidates throughout the business day if possible, or at least several times a day depending on filings.
Call Knox County Clerk Joann Fischer at 402-288-5604 or email clerk@knoxcountyne.gov with any questions you may have.