After nearly five years of service at the helm of one of Nebraska’s longest-standing weekly newspapers, Ryan Dettman and RHD Publishing, LLC have officially passed the torch. As of Thursday, the rights to publish the Central City Republican-Nonpareil have been sold to veteran newspaper publisher Michael Happ.

The transition marks a new chapter in the storied legacy of the Republican-Nonpareil, a paper that has served Merrick County and surrounding communities since the 1800s. Dettman, who purchased the paper on January 1, 2021, during the thick fog of a global pandemic, leaves behind more than just an archive of front pages — he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, reform, and relentless passion.

“This paper gave me purpose,” Dettman said. “It gave me an identity when I needed one most. But the time has come for a new vision, new energy, and a new era. And I truly believe Michael Happ is the man to lead it.”

Happ, a name that may already be familiar to those in nearby Palmer and other rural Nebraska towns, is no stranger to the demands of the job. He entered the industry young — exceptionally young — purchasing the Elm Creek Beacon-Observer when he was just 21 years old and fresh out of college. At the time, he was believed to be the youngest newspaper publisher in the country.

Since then, Happ has quietly built a small empire of small-town papers, taking on the mission of sustaining community journalism in places that larger media have long since abandoned. His purchase of the Republican-Nonpareil signals not just an expansion of his operation, but a renewed commitment to preserving the kind of grassroots reporting that has long served as the backbone of rural America.

“Michael Happ is more than a newspaper publisher,” Dettman said. “He’s a true newspaper guy. He’s got ink in his veins and the grind in his soul. His resources, knowledge, and vision will ensure that journalism stays alive and well in Merrick County.”

During Dettman’s tenure, the Republican-Nonpareil weathered some of the toughest years in the history of local news. From covering COVID shutdowns and vaccine rollouts to athletic triumphs, economic recovery, and Main Street revitalizations, the paper kept publishing — every week, without fail.

And through it all, Dettman and his small staff took a scrappy, no-frills approach to local storytelling. They photographed livestock shows, covered parades in 100-degree heat, followed local sports action all across the state, and gave voice to both the unsung heroes and spirited eccentrics that define small-town life. At times, it was comical. At times, chaotic. But it was always honest.

“I didn’t know what I was doing when I started. I just knew that local journalism mattered,” Dettman said. “It still does. And it always will — especially here.”

Happ has indicated that he plans to maintain the existing spirit and standards of the Republican-Nonpareil. Readers can expect the same local focus, bolstered by Happ’s experience and commitment to community journalism.

With the sale complete, Dettman steps away from the publisher’s desk, but not from the community. “I may no longer be the guy behind the front page,” he said, “but I’ll still be the guy in the bleachers with a notebook in one hand and a half-eaten Runza in the other.”

And so, as one chapter closes, another begins — inked not in endings, but in fresh starts. The paper lives on. The mission continues. And a new voice takes the mic, ready to tell the next great stories of Merrick County.

Because in towns like this, stories still matter. And thanks to those who believe, the press still rolls.