News

Last Friday the Central City Elementary School celebrated grandparents day. To the left Harper Burdick and her grandma share their smiles on this joyous day.

Merrick County’s commitment to hands-on learning came to life on September 5, 2024, as 132 students, teachers, and volunteers gathered at Bader Park for a day of environmental exploration and education. Sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America and the Merrick Foundation, this Environmental Education Day offered fourth and fifth graders from Central City, High Plains, Nebraska Christian, and Palmer schools the opportunity to engage with Nebraska’s natural beauty and ecosystem.

Under a golden 5 p.m. sun that bathed Central City in warm light, something extraordinary happened. This wasn’t just any gathering—it was the kind of event that cements itself in the hearts and minds of a community. The crowd stood in awe as the beautiful bronze sculpture “Robins & Ribbons,” created by renowned artist George Lundeen, was unveiled. But this wasn’t simply a tribute to art. It was a celebration of the life and legacy of one of Central City’s own: Patricia Campbell, affectionately known as Miss Pat.

Last week, we spotlighted Katie Benner, the write-in candidate challenging for the District 4 seat on the Merrick County Board of Supervisors. This week, we turn our attention to the incumbent, Carolyn Kucera, who is seeking her fourth term on the board. With 12 years of experience under her belt, Kucera has been a steady and reliable presence in county governance.

On Sunday, September 7th, the Chapman and St. Libory volunteer fire departments, along with the Merrick County Sheriff’s Office, were called to respond to a downed plane in a field near 3rd Road, north of Chapman. Fearing the worst, first responders arrived to a surprising and much-relieved scene: the plane was resting in a bean field, and pilot Chris Brown, along with his passengers, were calmly waiting by the roadside.

The Merrick County Arts Council officially launched its 2024-2025 season at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) with a hilarious stand-up performance by comedian Cyrus Steele. This show marked the beginning of a packed season featuring a diverse lineup, including music from choirs and musicians from across the country.

Elsie Dockweiler has been on a heartfelt mission since June 2022, creating hats for the Mission Heart campaign after learning how to loom knit. When she first began, Elsie made about 80 hats and set herself a goal for the following year. “In a happy year, if I could make 80 hats, my goal for the next year would be 160,” she told her daughters. They expressed concern over the ambitious target, but Elsie kept going. “When I reached over 200 hats,” she shared, “I texted my daughter in New York, but I didn’t tell her the real number.” Her daughter replied, “Next goal… 300.” Elsie smiled as she recalled, “I waited for her to visit and then I threw the number 367 at her.”