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October 17, 2013 Leave a comment
The continuing demolition. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
It is all down! Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 17, 2013 Leave a comment
Down it came! The Oakland Library Foundation purchased this house on Thomas Avenue in Oakland from Angie Loomis. The Foundation had the home, in poor condition, torn down today, Oct. 17th. The property will be used for an addition to the Oakland Public Library in the future.
View from the back of the house. Photo Credit/Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Library Director.
Front of house at the beginning of demolition. Photo Credit/Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Library Director.
View of the front of the house. Photo Credit/Rosa Schmidt, Oakland Library Director.
October 16, 2013 Leave a comment
Denise Gilliland, of Oakland, was sworn in as the newest Oakland City Council member on Tues., Oct. 8th.
Denise replaces James Dortch, who resigned from the council a few months ago due to a change in his employment.
Denise formerly worked at the Oakland Independent for nearly nine years, serving in many capacities. She was office manager, reporter, and ad salesperson before becoming editor of the Lyons Mirror-Sun. During this time, she obtained a degree in Journalism from Northeast Community College. After much contemplation, she decided to take a big step and go out on her own. Denise and her husband Jeff own a free online newspaper, Kat Country Hub where Denise serves as Editor and Chief. Her office is based in Lyons, serving northeast Nebraska.
Upon learning of Dortch’s resignation, she decided to inquire about possibly replacing him to serve out the remainder of his term, which is over three years.
“I have always believed people should give back to their community,” Denise stated.
There were a total of five names for the council to consider for the position.
The Mayor of Oakland, Ted Beckner, submitted Denise Gilliland’s name to the council, because of her desire to give back to the community. The council approved her appointment.
Last Thursday, Oct. 10th, the Oakland City Council met with the Oakland Planning Commission in a public meeting to discuss the building of a new business, a Dollar Store, in Oakland. On Mon., Oct. 14th, the Oakland City Council held their regular month meeting.
Denise and Jeff have two children, Justin Beck of Pender and Whitney Storie of Norfolk. They also have two grandchildren, Grayce and Grayhm Beck.
Denise Gilliland
October 10, 2013 Leave a comment
LDNE students visit the Lyons Volunteer Fire Department on Wed., Oct. 9th. The fire/rescue members taught them how to use a fire extinguisher along with the use of a backboard on rescue calls.
Students learning about fire extinguishers. All of the photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Fire extinguisher education. Photo Credit for all photos/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Backboard use. Photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 5, 2013 Leave a comment
A tornado also struck Macy Friday evening, causing extensive damage to homes and vehicles. As was the case in Wayne, there were not many injuries, and fortunately, no fatalities. Kristi stated that staff that was at the school (she was not there at the time) took shelter at the school and at the field house down at the football field. Three or four homes were destroyed.
The photos are from Kristi Dahlgren, a teacher at Macy since 1994.
To the left of this trailer is where another stood. Photo Credit/Kristi Dahlgren.
This is the school parking lot after clean-up started. Photo Credit/Kristi Dahlgren.
A concrete base to a light pole, but who knows where the light pole is? Photo Credit/Kristi Dahlgren.
October 5, 2013 Leave a comment
“I am happy to be alive,” said Judy Robertson of Wayne. She has every reason to be. Judy, along with about 20 other employees of Concord Components, were huddled in a bathroom while an EF4 tornado bore down on the east end of Wayne Friday, Oct. 4th.
“There were sirens going off, but we couldn’t hear them. We are a distance away from them,” Judy stated. “Luckily, people told us the sirens were going off.”
Upon looking at the sky, a tornado was not spotted. “We thought what we saw was a wall cloud. We didn’t realize it was as big as it was,” Judy said.
Judy didn’t hear the loud sounds people describe when in a tornado, such as it sounding like a train coming through. “I could feel the concrete walls swaying behind my back,” Judy stated. The doors caved in and I could hear the ripple of the wind and things hitting other things. The water was sucked out of the toilet in the bathroom we were in.”
When the tornado had passed, Judy and her fellow employees went outside to more than they anticipated. “I walked out and saw devastation. I couldn’t believe it,” Judy said.
Concord Components suffered mostly interior damage. “The wind came in and took everything out,” Judy stated.
Concord Components buys and resells electrical components. “Our major distributor is for the government,” Judy said. “It will take a few weeks to clean up, do inventory and other things before it (the business) will be up and running.”
Other businesses in Wayne didn’t fare quite as well, such as John Deere, Wayne East and many others. The Wayne Softball Complex was also damaged. Approximately ten homes were damaged.
15 people were reported as injured, one critically, but there weren’t any fatalities.
Judy has advice to share with everyone. “If and when you are in a sever thunderstorm or tornado warning, please don’t be stupid. Take shelter! Your life is worth it,”
Damage from Friday night’s tornado that struck Wayne. Photo Credit/he wishes to remain anonymous.
October 4, 2013 Leave a comment
Our neighbor girls, Juliet, the one jumping, and Cozette. They were enjoying a warm rain. Cozette thought to inform me that it was raining at my house too. The innocence of a child!
Juliet, left, and Cozette, enjoying a rainy afternoon. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
October 4, 2013 Leave a comment
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 10:00 p.m. for northeast Nebraska. This includes Burt, Cuming and Thurston Counties in Nebraska.
Kat Country Hub 
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