Lyons-Decatur Northeast Closed


Lyons-Decatur Northeast School is closed tomorrow, Tues., Feb. 2nd in anticipation of hazardous weather conditions. 

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Cancels Events


Lyons-Decatur Northeast has cancelled the Freshman game scheduled for tonight and there will also be no after school activities.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast School Late Start


Lyons-Decatur Northeast School will start at 10:00 a.m. today due to the weather, there is no morning preschool.

Social Speaks: Thoughts on Local Schools Consolidating


As editor, I wanted to hear what people have to say about local schools, such as Tekamah-Herman, Oakland-Craig, Lyons-Decatur Northeast and Bancroft-Rosalie, possibly consolidating. Below are several very interesting, informed and insightful responses.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen If we have to consolidate, I wish they had done it with Lyons when the option was there! Not real crazy about my kids having to travel out of town.
 Leann Canarsky Jorgensen Not sure how the people of Decatur would have felt about coming to Oakland, Tekamah would be closer.
Amy Wheaton Why if oakland and lyons went together would the school be in oakland?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I always thought it would be ideal to have one half way between on hwy 77.

Amy Wheaton I’m so glad my kids are out of school…small towns are disappearing…and so are the schools. Sad to say!

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I wasn’t meaning that it would be in Oakland, I was meaning that it would be further for Decatur if they merged & went half way??? Wouldn’t it be ideal to meet half way than to choose towns? Would you expect it to be in Lyons?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I’m hoping my kids are out of school before anything like this happens, but we still have 9 years left in school! I hate to see any small town school close….we love our school & the convenience of it being a few blocks from home!

Amy Wheaton No not at all! I thought that’s what you meant since you stated you didn’t want your kids to have to travel!
Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I would be much more comfortable going 3 1/2 miles on hwy 77 than I would going 7 miles on 32 if we had to consolidate with T-H. That highway just stinks in the winter! Or even worse, out into the country!

Cara Schulzkump Raabe I’m so glad that my daughter graduates this year. But I still worry about all the kids. In a perfect world, right?

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen In a perfect world, every one will be happy!! Sadly, that will never happen! We need to keep the best interests of our kids & their education in mind & stop worrying about sports! 

Krisa Brown The towns of Decatur, Craig, and soon to be closed Herman have already lost their schools. So those families along with all the country people have been driving or riding the bus for decades. I understand that no town wants to lose their school house, but things change whether we want them to or not. I think people need to look at community on a larger scale than just their own town. The local small town rivalries are gone. No one has to agree, this is just my opinion.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I just don’t agree with putting more kids on the road…..

Krisa Brown Logan View has been doing it for years.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I realize that, & I see what your point is, I just think if they consolidate with T-H, I would probably choose to put my kids in The L-D school instead…..just my choice. Hwy 32 is a terrible road. When we lived in Uehling, we drove our kids to school in Oakland, instead of Logan View & when we lived out by Craig, we chose O-C over T-H ( yes, whoever owned that house chose the T-H school district for less taxes when they were given the choice). I guess any way you look at it, no one will be happy, but I as a parent, have the option to open enroll. I am not opposed to my kids traveling a short distance, but I also need to consider their safety.

Sarah Gramke Completely against. We are a strong school, and doing well financially. There is no “need” for consolidation. There is a need for more classes to be added, but with technology, distance learning with community schools would solve that. If we consolidate we will be a small B school, and not that winning is everything but we will not compete with other big schools, will not get playing time, and will have to try out for everything. Also hwy 32 would be a horrible road to commute on for our kids. I could go on and on with other reasons why its not a good idea. If you look at all of the facts, the negatives of consolidation definitely outnumber the positives. Hope the community members who are against consolidation continue to attend meetings and speak up for what is best for our kids, and our community as a whole.
Leann Canarsky Jorgensen Amen!!!! I cannot imagine my kids traveling on hwy 32 or out in the country to Bertha!! No thanks!! I love our school!!

Kris M Feauto Wow I think that would be a really bad idea.

Teresa Tobin I know I’m not from O-C but just a question to think about. Financially you may be doing great now- what about 10-20 years from now is O-C growing? Are young couples staying in town and raising their kids? I know I’ve seen small town schools here in MO. That did not consolidate and were forced too 5-10 years later cause they didn’t have enough kids! Just a thought!

Sarah Gramke Oakland-Craig is growing. Young people are staying or returning.

Cherry Hanak Why don’t they just build a new high school building , and tear down that old ugly one.

Kristi Bacon How many of u r paying land taxes in the Oakland school district. We have two farms in this district. We can not afford to pay anymore. We r at almost a 100 dollar an acre. OC needs to forget about building n look at other options

Jasmine Haeffner Helzer What should have been done is a school at Bertha. I could care less about sports as that is not what is going to pay the bills when these kids get older. Education is first and foremost. The outlook for rural communities are to hopefully sustain and the likely hood of growth is small. When looking at the numbers there is no tax benefit for a Tekamah-Oakland consolidation all we can hope for is better education.

David Mallette I always thought a merger with LV when the opportunity was there. Good highway to travel…already a new building in existance….I don’t feel a new building for the town and tax payers is the way to go. Oakland will always be my home town, but 10 years from now who knows what young families will be in town to support a new building.

David Mallette When it comes to sports…the BEST athletes make the teams…yes you have to try out and either make a team or your don’t.

Cherry Hanak I don’t even live there , just saying , how many years can people talk about this , nothing ever happens, just saying, again
Susan Reynolds-Seery Living 5 miles out of town is bad enough. My kids ride the bus, so no I don’t drive them, but just recently they got stuck in the snow and was almost 45 minutes late to school. I couldn’t imagine them having to travel farther. I hope they graduate before this goes down or we might be going to West Point and I don’t want to take my kids from their friends, but their safety is more important.

Leann Canarsky Jorgensen I agree Susan!! I’m hoping this will be years down the road & my kids are out of school too! If everyone would stop complaining about this school or that school & worry about their education, it would be a small miracle! No one wants their kids to travel, but if they have to, wouldn’t the shorter, safer route be best? 
Susan Reynolds-Seery Yes definitely! It’s not the first time they have gotten stuck either. I worry about them every time they go out. We have a great bus driver and I trust him, it’s the weather and roads I don’t trust. I hope in the end it works best for the kids.

Abby Simonsen As a young child I rode the bus from 7 am till right up till school time every morning. Back in the day when we had snow on the ground from Halloween till the end of March. I have so many fun memories of this free time with other kids. Weather you travel two miles or ten, getting the education required to succeed in this wildly changing world is what is important. Sports teaches discipline to fight and succeed when you are out in the big bad world. Consolidation only makes sense if the dollars it takes to run an education establishment are being spent efficiently.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Preschool Letters to Santa Claus


Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Cassidy Rose Miller. I am three years old. I live far away from Brooke’s house. This year, I have been really good at playing upstairs, watch TV and I eat food. I would really like it if you could bring me feel better lotion like Hayley gots.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Cassidy Rose Miller

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Bryannda. I am four years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really loving everyone in my house. I would really like it if you could bring me a pillow, a toy Santa and an Olaf bike.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Bryannda Chavira

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Tianna. I am four years old. I live in Decatur, Nebraska. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Barbies!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Tianna Stabler

Unknown

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Ascher. I am four years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really good and I’ve been folding with Grandma. I would really like it if you could bring me a present. I want a toy and a real phone. Oh and my big sister likes Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Ascher Hagberg

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Dakotta. I am four years old. I live in Nebraska. This year, I have been really snuggly with mommy, daddy and grandma. I would really like it if you could bring me a baby doll that you can push in a stroller and take her outside. I like to snuggle with my baby dolls. And I like cookies!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Dakotta Erickson

 

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Raygen. I am five years old. I live in a house in Lyons. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a toy phone, Barbies, a baby doll and stroller that I can push.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Raygen Olsen

Unknown

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Cali. I am five years old. I live in Lyons, Nebraska. This year, I have been really playing in the snow. I would really like it if you could bring me more Barbies, a Barbie that does what I ask it to do and a great big Santa toy.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Cali Madsen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Skylar. I am four years old. I live in a house in my town. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Barbie toys, a train for the white tree, a house and a motorcycle.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Skylar Hollman

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Carsyn. I am five years old. I live in Nebraska. This year, I have been really learning! I would really like it if you could bring me a truck that I can drive…it must be green, a moving corn toy and a blue car.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Carsyn Miller

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is McKennah. I am five years old. I live in Nebraska. This year I have been really good! I would really like it if you could bring me new chapstick, Gingerbread movie, Gingerbread book, a new baby doll, movies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

McKennah Tuttle

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Dear Santa Claus,

My name is LilliAnn. I am four years old. I live in a home. This year, I have been really playing with my toys. I would really like it if you could bring me a Santa teddy, a unicorn, a Minnie Mouse toy, a toy pig and a toy bear.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

LilliAnn Svendsen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jacek. I am four years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a turtle man! I also want a batman robot!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jacek Alexander

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Caroline. I am five years old. I live in Lyons out in the country, in a white house. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a pretend puppy that follows you where ever you go!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Caroline Timm

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Parker. I am four years old. I live far away in a house with red bricks. This year, I have been really nice. I would really like it if you could bring me a gift, maybe a stuffed animal!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Parker Norton

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Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Skylynn. I am five years old. I live in town. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a new Frozen bike!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Skylynn Wolf

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Wyatt. I am four years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been really good and helping my sister and decorating my tree. I would really like it if you could bring me jackhammer Rebel with his vehicle!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Wyatt Trost

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Charlotte. I am four years old. I live in Oakland, Nebraska. This year, I have been really nice. I would really like it if you could bring me a big Barbie pop up camper with Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Charlotte Dolezal

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Kade. I am three years old. I live in the country. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a planter and a sprayer for my tractors.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Kade French

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Emma. I am three years old. I live in Decatur. This year, I have been really nice then good. I would really like it if you could bring me toys!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Emma Henneman

Unknown

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Delaney. I am three years old. I live in Lyons. This year, I have been good. I would really like it if you could bring me rainbow high heels!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Delaney Andersen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Tucker. I am four years old. I live on a farm. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a big transformer toy that can talk and change by itself!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Tucker Vyhlidal

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Shyla. I am three years old. I live in home with Mom and Dad. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me another doll!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Shyla Talada

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jenaveev. I am four years old. I live in the country by Mrs. Ronnfeldt. This year, I have been really GOOD! I would really like it if you could bring me some roller skates to skate on ice!

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jenaveev Myers

Unknown

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Brooke. I am three years old. I live in the country. This year, I have been really playing in the snow. I would really like it if you could bring me a book and toys.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Brooke Larson

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Archie. I am four years old. I live in my home. I have a snowman at my house. This year, I have been really good watching giant robots on TV. I would really like it if you could bring me my birthday.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Archie Pond

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Autumn. I am four years old. I live far way in the country. This year, I have been really happy! I would really like it if you could bring me lotion and a book.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Autumn McCullock

Unknown-1

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is McKenzie. I am four years old. I live with my family in my house. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me Peppa Pig Camping toy, Legos, tiny baby dolls, play-dough, snow cone maker, candy cane maker and Barbies.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

McKenzie Christiansen

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Jackson. I am five years old. I live with Bo. This year, I have been really good. I would really like it if you could bring me a car.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Jackson Hart

 

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Amirez. I am five years old. I live in a house. This year, I have been really busy and good. I would really like it if you could bring me a Captain America toy and a Spiderman toy. Santa, I have a new baby brother.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Amirez Encinas

Unknown-1

 

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Closed Today


Lyons-Decatur Northeast School is closed today due to the weather.

Kats’ Korner: Is Consolidation What’s Best for the Students?


There are certain aspects of a small town a person can identify with, whether it is the culture, a historical location, certain events held throughout the year or simply how well the community is maintained.

Most small towns, such as Oakland, Lyons and Tekamah, share a common structure that educates our children, a school.

For quite some time now, local school boards have been faced with the daunting task of whether to consolidate or build a new school.

Personally, I don’t envy those trying to do what is in the best interests of the districts they serve. I do, however, admire them for the many extra hours they have devoted to this issue.

State aid seems to be at the root of the problem, or lack thereof. There has been a significant decrease for all three school districts in Burt County since 2014/15. Tekamah-Herman received $13,219.79 less than last year, Oakland-Craig took a large loss of $67,721.01 and Lyons-Decatur Northeast also took a huge loss of $53,106.59.

The decrease in state aid undoubtedly hurts a school, which has a trickle down effect, hurting teachers and students.

In my opinion, every child deserves the best education possible. If this means consolidating with another school so this can be accomplished, so be it.

I will go on record and say that I don’t want this to happen. I don’t want any community to lose their high school. If this happens, I hope each community can keep their elementary schools. At this point, only consolidating high schools is being considered.

There will be many more discussions on this matter in the future. The outcome may be decided by voting yes or no on next November’s ballot.

Please stay informed on the issue. School board meetings are always open to the public.

Remember, a child’s future is at stake.

 

Consolidation Options Being Discussed


By Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

In March, the Board of Education hired Jerry McCall, with Education Consulting Services, and his decades of experience to assist board members in narrowing a focus to improve our facilities for our students. Through the work with Jerry, the recommendation was made to pursue a consolidated effort first and gauge the interest of other school districts, specifically Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur Northeast. Since reaching out to those districts, it has been relatively quiet over the past several months. Lyons-Decatur Northeast indicated that they were not interested in further conversations at this time, stating that they had a relationship with Bancroft-Rosalie for activities with which they were pleased. Oakland-Craig expressed some interest, but felt they needed to evaluate all of their options.

Last week, committee representatives from Tekamah-Herman, Oakland-Craig, and Jerry McCall met to further discuss the potential of a consolidated effort between the two districts. The specific items discussed, in general terms, were the internal organization of grade levels in a proposed district, the potential site of a new high school, and the size of the building being to be built. These conversations are preliminary, with both Boards seeking additional definitive data from Education Consulting Services before making a commitment.

The committees asked for further clarification from Mr. McCall on potential educational programming for the proposed district and ideas of participation from Northeast Community College with career education and certification opportunities in a district of the proposed size. The committees are supportive of doing what is in the best interest of students. If education can be enhanced and facilities improved through consolidation, Tekamah-Herman representatives would certainly be interested in such an effort. The facility issues in our district are not improving and must be addressed in the near future. The Board members are attempting to make the best decision possible to address as many needs as possible.

The Board of Education at Tekamah-Herman wishes to be as transparent as possible with any potential election for the use of tax dollars. The members have spent countless hours interviewing, researching, and evaluating options. While this isn’t the only option available for the district, this is clearly the best option that must be investigated to its fullest, in the minds of the Board and representatives hired to guide the Board. Please feel free to communicate with your representatives about this and future issues.

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Fire Prevention Week


Lyons-Decatur Northeast

Lyons-Decatur Northeast students learn about fire prevention and escaping a fire during fire prevention week. They also voted on fire prevention posters each elementary class made. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast students learn about fire prevention and escaping a fire during fire prevention week. They also voted on fire prevention posters each elementary class made. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

DSC07649 DSC07651 DSC07652 DSC07655 DSC07656 DSC07657 DSC07660 DSC07664 DSC07670 DSC07674 DSC07680 DSC07681 Elementary students were shown how to prevent fires through demonstrations conduced by State Fire Marshall Raymond Nance and the Lyons Fire and Rescue personnel during fire prevention week.

A fire prevention trailer, equipped with a model oven, stove, microwave and fireplace were visual aides during the demonstration. There was also a smoke alarm that can connect to wifi in the home, alerting the homeowners when the alarm goes off in other rooms. A message may also be sent to smartphones, alerting the homeowner that the smoke alarms are sounding so action can be taken immediately.

The trailer also has imitation smoke so the students could practice laying low, crawling to the nearest exit, to escape the fire.

Thank you to all of the volunteer firemen and women who are dedicated to protecting all of us. You are truly appreciated!

 

Humphrey Saint Francis Flyers Dominate Lyons-Decatur Northeast Cougars


By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor

Number one rated Humphrey Saint Francis came to town and showed the Cougars that they were worthy of their pre-season rating.   The Flyers pounded out a 64-6 win in the home opener.

After the Flyers opened the game with a scoring drive, the Cougars came back with a drive of their own.  With 8:26 left in the quarter Montana Riecken teamed up with Jon Christiansen for a 20 yard touchdown pass.  HSF would score three more times in the quarter to take a 30-6 lead.  Three second quarter scores put the visitors up 50-6 at the break.  A running clock speeded the second  half.
The HSF defense limited Northeast to  272 yards.  They had 186 yards rushing and 86 yards passing.

QB Montana Riecken headed the running game with 102 yards on  19 rushes.  Marcus Hegy gained 56 yards on 21 tries.  Jon Christiansen got 8 yards with 3 attempts. Benny Estrada ran 6 times and gained 20 yards.

The passing attack saw Montana completed five of seven passes with one interception.  Jon Christiansen hauled in three passes and gained 79 yards while scoring once.  Jayden Vetick caught two for 7 yards.

The defense was not able to stop the Flyer’s power running game as the secondary was forced to make many tackles.  Jon Christiansen topped the Cougars with thirteen tackles, 7 solo and 6 assisted.  Dustin Burgett had; 2 solo and 5 assisted while Montana Riecken had 3 solo and 3 assisted stops.  Linebacker Bren Shatto had 8 total tackles with 2 being solos.  He had 2 TFLs.  Marcus Hegy recorded 5 solo and 2 assisted tackles.  In the line, Jayden Vetick had 1 solo and 1 assisted and Tyler Kroger had 2 solo and 2 assisted with Tyler Hardeman and Cole Christoffersen each registering a solo tackle.

LDNE will take a 1-1 record into this week’s game against Osmond.  The Tigers won their game against Winside 46-20.