HARTINGTON —  Area water supplies could be limited by new Nebraska Department of Natural Resources regulations.
The Dept. of Natural Resources issued its annual report evaluating each of the state’s river basins.
The report states the Lower Platte River Basin upstream of the Missouri River confluence, including all tributary drainages has been designated as fully appropriated.
According to the report, “the future depletions due to current well development that could be expected to deplete streamflow in the basin in the future. . . . The long-term surface water supply estimates, given current levels of development, are not sufficient to meet the needs for the Lower Platte Basin above North Bend. Read The Full Story…

HARTINGTON — In many ways 2008 was simply a continuation of the issues of past years.
Seven of the Top 10 news stories here in 2008 have made the Top 10 list in past years.
The top Hartington area story in 2008 was the celebration of the town’s 125th anniversary. Preparations for the three-day celebration were listed at number six on the Top 10 list in 2007.
For the second year in a row construction of a huge new addition to the Cedar County Courthouse was named as the second biggest area news story of the year. After years of discussion and planning Commisisoners broke ground for the project last summer and construction began shortly after that. Read The Full Story…

NORFOLK — Irvin H. Rowland, 93, Norfolk, died Dec. 27, 2008, at Norfolk Veterans Home.
Visitation was Dec. 29 at Home for Funerals, Norfolk.
Funeral services were Dec. 30 at the Norfolk Veterans Home.
Burial was in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk, with Military Rites by American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 1644, and the Nebraska National Guard Honors Team. Read The Full Story…

LINCOLN — Esther Olivia Johnson, 88, Lincoln, died Dec. 27, 2008, in Lincoln.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services and burial in Laurel.
Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Ded. 31,  at First Lutheran Church, Lincoln. Read The Full Story…

BLOOMFIELD — Helen L. Bell died Dec. 24, 2008, at the Good Samaritan Center, Bloomfield.
Services were Dec. 27 at First Trinity Lutheran Church Bloomfield, with Pastor Duane Fahr officiating.
Intement was in Bloomfield City Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Steve Vawser, Jesse Bell, Wes Vawser, Scott Vesely, Jason Vesely and Jim Holmlund. Read The Full Story…

HARTINGTON — The weather, construction, schools, business changes and court proceedings dominated the news here in 2008. Here is a week by week look at 2008.
Jan. 2, 2008
A family is trying to bring something positive out of their loss of a beloved sister and daughter. It has been six months since Ron and Janet Burbach lost their 20 year old daughter Janell to bacterial meningitis. Janell who had been a student at the University of South Dakota, was on summer break when she became ill. Her famiy is working to raise awareness on the disease that took their loved one’s life. It is called Project Janell. A web site has been created to help raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

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HARTINGTON — Christmas is a time for giving – Hartington area residents of all ages have proved there is a giving spirit in this area.
Even though you hear of hard times and an economic slowdown – area residents have been very generous to the Food Pantry in Hartington. Read The Full Story…

HARTINGTON — A local man has been helping Santa deliver gifts around the world this Christmas.
Gary Howey has been sending hunting and fishing DVDs to men and women in the military.
Howey’s company Outdoorsmen Productions, LLC started mailing DVDs of his national television show ‘Outdoorsmen Adventures’ last Christmas. The idea met with success, so this is the second holiday season for Howey to offer his gift.

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COLERIDGE — Mike and Mary Biltoft have already received the best Christmas gift they could ever have.
After hearing the frightening word cancer – enduring surgery and weeks of treatment – he received a good report from doctors.
“With his scan this month we were given the greatest Christmas present a person could receive – no signs of cancer for now – a miracle and a blessing,” said Mary.
It was the middle of March when Mike was first diagnosed with cancer at the hospital in Osmond.

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NORFOLK — District Court Judge Patrick Rogers will retire in January after serving eight years on the District Court bench in the Seventh Judicial District.
Rogers grew up in Randolph and graduated from Randolph High School.

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HARTINGTON — For the fourth time in five days, the weather forced local schools to alter their plans.

School was cancelled Friday because of the six-inch snowfall that  hit here Thursday night and early Friday morning. The snow day gave local students an exta day of Christmas vacation.

School was cancelled Tuesday, as well because of snow and ice. Local students had a late start to school on both Monday and Wednesday.