Local News
Bob Volk and friend in the pasture (date unknown).

MULTI-GENERATIONAL FARM FAMILIES: The Volks

"This is all grown out to be an overgrown 4-H project, if you want to call it that," says Jay Volk. For more than 40 years, Jay, with his brother Clark, have co-owned J&C Simmentals, raising …
The Potadles grow corn, soybeans and hay on more than 40 locations in Washington and Burt counties.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL FARM FAMILIES: The Potadles

Gilbert and Leona Potadle were grocers in eastern Nebraska before they were farmers, at one time running five stores. But during the Great Depression, they made the decision that there was more …

Blair City Council implements conduct policy for public pool

The Blair City Council approved a code of conduct policy at its June 24 th meeting for those using the city pool. The seven highlights of the new policy are: Respectful behavior: …
Laney Hoier of Herman competes in the breakaway roping during the 2024 Washington County Fair Rodeo in Arlington.

3 Washington County cowgirls set sights on NHSFR

With a productive fall of high school rodeo in her rearview mirror, Herman cowgirl Laney Hoier started spring on the Nebraska circuit strong, too. That is until she broke her collarbone during …

Hundreds turn out for City of Blair's Fourth of July fireworks display

Hundreds of residents packed the land surrounding the former Dana College football stadium to watch the City of Blair's fireworks display on the Fourth of July.
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The Blair Cubs age 8 and younger baseball team won a Bronze Bracket state tournament last weekend.
Youth Sports Roundup (July 11, 2025)
Cubs, Pioneers earn wins at AAA State Tourney Youth baseball teams from Blair and Fort Calhoun picked up victories last weekend during the Nebraska USSSA AAA State Tournament. The age 12 and younger …
Nik Hamm, left, beats Dylan Keyser to the bag for an out Saturday during the Arlington Summer Sizzle softball tournament.
Zam Driver Turned Writer: Sizzle brings athletes out to the diamond
Another Arlington Summer Sizzle has come and gone. How'd you enjoy last Saturday's festivities? The Fourth of July-adjacent celebration is a favorite of mine. I, No. 1, always like to see a bustling …
The Blair Junior Legion baseball team watches the game before their's Monday at Omaha Creighton Prep. Post 154 begins Area Tournament play today in Plattsmouth.
Blair, Calhoun play Junior Legion regular season finales
Both the Blair and Fort Calhoun Junior Legion baseball teams capped their regular season schedules Monday evening. Post 154 earned an 8-7 win on turf at Omaha Creighton Prep, while the Zig Drywall …
Arlington Legion teams drop pair of walk-offs
A Sunday afternoon road trip ended in two walk-off losses for the Arlington Legion baseball teams. “Although the final scores did not go our way, there was a lot to be happy about at the same …
The Arlington Junior Legion baseball team won the Class B state title in 1976. Front row, from left: Terry Marquardt, Steve Kollars, Bob Becher, Ed Menking, Doug Klotz, Wayne Knell and Charley Meyer. Back row: Coach Bill Becher, Joe Horvatich, Tim Stork, Jeff Jacob, Bryan Nelson, Ken Misfeldt and coach Paul Menking.
Times Gone By: Arlington Legion team wins 1976 Class B title
Editor's Note: “A Look at Times Gone By” is an in-depth look at weekly Times Gone By entries compiled since 2015. These articles represent the history of Washington County sports. The …
Arlington Spartans pick up 1st DCBL win
The Arlington Spartans town team earned its first win of the Dodge County Baseball League season Sunday in North Bend. The Spartans topped the Benders 3-1, snapping a six-game losing streak to start …
Obituaries
David Samuel Barner, age 80 of Blair, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, at Memorial Community Hospital & Health System.
Liela Ann Matzen, age 78 of Blair, passed away June 30, 2025, at her home in Blair. Memorial services will be held Monday, July 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blair. Visitation will be held Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair.
Kevin Lee Tilson was born in Blair, Nebraska on 25 August 1957. Kevin was a ringbearer for his sister Carolyne Tilson Nelson's wedding in 1960. Kevin was raised in Herman and Tekamah, Nebraska …
Richard Schlenker passed away Monday, June 23, 2025, in Fremont. 
Charles E. “Mac” McMahan, age 89 of Omaha, NE (formerly of Fort Calhoun, NE). Born: September 10, 1935, Pomona, MO. Died: June 24, 2025, Omaha, NE. Preceded in death by: …
From the Opinion page
Letters
Letter to the Editor: The Blair Community Schools Board of Education would like to address the concerns and comments raised at the October 14th Board Meeting, including those shared by Mr. Tim …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Columnists
America has been rocked by an extraordinary number of devastating tornadoes and storms with hurricane-force wind gusts. This spring produced the second-most tornadoes to date since records began in …
Peat bogs are found mainly in the boreal and temperate parts of the Northern Hemisphere.  They are especially found in Europe, Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia where there is a regular …
A few years ago on the TV show "Modern Family," a stepfather did something unexpected but kind in order to save the reputation of his stepson's biological father. Cancelling his own plans, he …
There have been at least two times in human history when toilet paper might have been a big topic of conversation at coffee gatherings. The first might have been when toilet paper first appeared …
Editorials