Murder is again the top story here

HARTINGTON – Court proceedings connected with four Laurel murders in August 2022 dominated headlines here in

News Staff
01/03/2024 12:00 AM

HARTINGTON — Court proceedings connected with four Laurel murders in August 2022 dominated headlines here in 2023.

The story was deemed as the top news story of the year here.

On Aug, 4, 2022, the bodies of four Laurel residents were found in their homes, which were also started on fire in an apparent attempt to hide the crimes.

Jason A. Jones, 42, faces four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree arson and a number of weapons charges in the deaths of his neighbors, Michele Shankles-Ebeling, 53, and Gene Twiford, 86, Janet Twiford, 85, and Dana Twiford, 55.

His wife, Carrie Jones, was later charged in connection with the murder of Gene Twiford, and for her role in allegedly aiding and abetting, and tampering with evidence in the murders of Gene, and his wife, Janet, and their daughter, Dana, along with Michele Shankles-Ebeling.

In 2023, lawyers argued that the death penalty should not be a consideration in the case. The legal maneuvering in the case continued throughout the year. No trial date has yet been set.

Despite the horrific news as details of the murders and their motives came out during court proceedings, Cedar County had plenty of good news during the year, as well.

After several years of planning and fundraising the downtown veterans memorial was completed in Hartington. It was dedicated in front of a standing-room-only crowd on Memorial Day weekend.

The reorganization of the rural Catholic churches was another huge story here. Six area parishes were combined with Hartington's Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The seven parishes are now being served by just two priests.

Discussion about the possibility of relocating the Skylon and turning it into a community center was another big news story here in 2023. The Skylon is expected to be one of the top stories in 2024 as well, as discussion and debate over what to do with the historic facility is expected to continue.