News

Following up on the discussion of the power and responsibility that comes with casting a ballot, this week I want to address one of the more debated issues of this legislative session: Nebraska’s new minimum wage law and the passage of LB258. LB258 was a bill created to provide practical, real-world guidelines for implementing Ballot Initiative 433, which was approved by voters in 2022.

CC Foundation Announces Spring 2026 Grant Awards The Custer County Foundation reviewed grant requests for the period ending April 30, 2026, and they are awarding a total of $43,521.33 to 10 Custer County organizations. “It’s always an exciting time when we get to announce our grant recipients,” said Rilee Daffer, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Callaway Public Schools has released the names of the 7th-12th grade students who earned a spot on the Spring Honor Roll. A “Q” behind the name denotes fourth quarter honor roll, while a “S” denotes semester honor roll. Congratulations to the following students:

There is no doubt that as we age our priorities shift. We begin to realize the things that are important, and those that really are not. The things that we should devote our time and energy to, and the ones we should let go.

The Oconto Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Blowin’ The Doors Off BBQ on Saturday, June 6, in Oconto. The all-you-can-eat BBQ will begin serving when gates open at 5 p.m. and will serve as long as food is available. There will be live music until midnight. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; children 5-12 are $10. Advance tickets may be purchased at ocontobbq. ticketspice.com/2026bbq. Bring your lawn chairs and your appetite!

Under sunny skies and a gentle breeze, a small crowd gathered at Rose Hill Cemetery near Callaway to remember. To pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the preservation of our nation’s freedoms.

Steve Axtell, senior track ace at Callaway High School, scored all of CHS’s 20 points during the Nebraska State Boys’ Track and Field Championships at Omaha Burke. The CHS triple threat took first in the triple jump with a glittering mark of 45’ 6”, which bettered the existing state record in that event. The new mark was not allowed, however, because of weather conditions. Axtell also placed second in long jump with a 21’ 5.5” leap, and fifth in the low hurdles in a time of 21.1.

Have you seen the movie “Remarkably Bright Creatures”? If you haven’t, I won’t ruin it for you, but it is a story about an octopus named Marcellus and a cleaning lady named Tova. The octopus is a giant Pacific octopus, which is the largest kind of octopus in the world.

Final Wishes Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face, or love in the eyes of a woman. Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Elementary winners of the Callaway American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Poster Contest were presented with awards during the elementary awards program at Callaway Public School on May 11. Congratulations to all the winners!