It’s clear to see when one spends any amount of time in Upper Missouri Trading Company with JW “Doc” Carlson, his first love is the art of gunsmithing. His place of business can best be described as a hybrid of store and museum. Graduating from the Kansas State Veterinary Program in 1959, Carlson started his vet practice in Crofton... READ MORE >
From Senator Tom Briese’s Office Nebraska District 41 One of the most popular legislative bills in recent memory is coming back for 2021: Ending the twice-yearly changing of the clocks that comes with Daylight Saving Time. Nebraska State Senator Tom Briese, who represents district 41 in the Unicameral Legislature, introduced LB 283 today, which is nearly... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Father William Cappius, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1913, and served during World War I in the American army. Some stories are more difficult to piece together than others. Little is actually known about the... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Norbert Francis Guenther, who served in West Germany from 1954 to 1956 with the 34th Field Artillery Armored Battalion. Norbert Guenther was born on Feb. 4, 1935 to Casper and Anna Guenther. He had a twin brother, Norman, and ten brothers and sisters. Norbert attended St. Rose School... READ MORE >
From the Nebraska School Activities Association Circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic are constantly changing and vary from community to community. Difficult decisions will have to be made from week to week or even day to day. The health and safety of students, staff, and local communities remain the priority of the NSAA as we provide opportunities to... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Michael D. Schmitz, or “Father Mike,” as he is known to most Crofton area residents. Before his ordination as a Catholic priest in 1996, Schmitz served in the Air Force around the world, including in Germany, Vietnam, Offutt AF Base in Omaha and even at Andrews AFB for Air Force... READ MORE >
Governor Pete Ricketts announced late last week that the State is moving from the “yellow” to “blue” phase of its coronavirus pandemic response plan. As a result, the State of Nebraska has issued new Directed Health Measures (DHMs) effective 12:01 AM on Thursday, December 24, 2020. The new DHMs change some of the restrictions put in place to help manage the... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Harry T. Smith, who served with the 34th Infantry, known as the Sandstorm Division, in World War I, but also helped patrol the U.S. Southern border against Pancho Villa. Harry Terrill Smith was born at Harlan, Iowa on Nov. 15, 1892 to William J. and Leora Terrill Smith. He was the second... READ MORE >
From the DHHS As of this morning, 8,985 Nebraskans have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine since the first shipments began arriving in the state a week ago, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The first round of vaccines were targeted to hospital and health care workers providing direct patient care, as well... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Richard Edward Loyd West, who served with distinction in World War I, and went on to found West Lumber and Coal Company, the predecessor to Crofton’s modern day West-Hodson Lumber and Concrete. R.E. Loyd West was born on Apr. 17, 1899. The “R” in his name was for his grandfather,... READ MORE >
From the DHHS The first doses of the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Nebraska today. The State is expected to receive 4,875 doses of the Pfizer vaccine by the end of the day and 15,600 by week’s end. “We are all very excited to know that the Pfizer vaccine has begun to arrive in Nebraska. And although this marks the beginning of what we hope... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Francis Mueller, Sergeant First Class in the trenches along the DMZ on the front lines in Korea from 1952 until 1954. In the U.S. Army in Korea, there was always one soldier in every platoon designated to keep morale up among the men. That wasn’t an easy task, considering the... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature James P. Kohles, Airman First Class involved in electronic countermeasures during the early days of the Cold War and Vietnam. Over the course of his days in the U.S. Air Force, Airman First Class, Jim Kohles, saw much of the world, including Alaska, England, Turkey and Japan. Jim was... READ MORE >
By Pam Bergstrom Forester Nebraska Forest Service "Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree! Where Did You Come From?” So, when the Christmas Trees start to go up, or get taken down, do you ever ponder “Where did the Christmas Tree tradition come from?” Well, today we will take a quick look at the history of the Christmas tree. Before Christianity came to... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we honor LeRoy Lockman, who served with Company B, 116th Infantry during the D-Day invasion of France. If you visit the gravesite of LeRoy William Lockman at the beautiful and scenic Beaver Creek cemetery north of Crofton, you would never know that Lockman had participated in one of the most... READ MORE >
Submitted Article Over the past year, since Veterans Day 2019, the Journal has run a feature called, “Veteran Stories,” each week in these pages. Mostly, these features have highlighted the military service of soldiers who are from Crofton, or those who made Crofton their final home or are buried in Crofton area cemeteries. The story of American history and... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we honor Gerard “Jake” Van Heek, who served with the 160th Infantry, 40th Division in the Korean War from 1952 into 1953. Gerard Van Heek was born to John and Mary Van Heek, growing up on a farm south of Crofton. He entered the U.S. Army in March 1952, taking basic training at Camp Breckinridge near... READ MORE >
By: Jackie Steffen, Nebraska Extension Educator Classes all across northeast Nebraska participated in Jumpstart’s Read for the Record program presented by Nebraska Extension Learning Child Educator, Jackie Steffen. Read for the Record is a national campaign designed to bring children together with caring adults to read the same book on the same day in... READ MORE >
The Crofton Senior center, normally the center of activity for many residents, has been closed to in-house meals and social activities since mid-October.Since manager Mary Sawatzke returned from a trip to San Antonio to visit family, she learned that she and husband Kim had been exposed to a family member who had Covid-19. They were contacted by the Texas... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Ray C. Avenell, who fought with the 61st Infantry in World War I, and was part of a daring river crossing that helped to end the war. Ray Avenell was born on March 25, 1896 in Buena Vista County, Iowa to Ruben W. and Adelaine Niles Avenell. He was born the fourth out of six children... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Norman Kube, who served with the U.S. Fifth Air Force as a pilot during World War II. Norman Kube was born as the oldest of seven children to Frank and Elizabeth Kube, on Oct. 7, 1920. Living and working a farm southwest of Crofton most of his life, he attended school in Crofton and... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Loren Dale Everton, who was commanding officer of the “Whistling Devils” Corsair squadron during World War II. U.S. Marine Major, Loren D. Everton, son of Walter and Mayme Everton, put Crofton on the map when he made national news as the commanding officer of the VMF-113 Corsair... READ MORE >
St. Rose of Lima School hosted a Scholastic Book Fair Oct 1-7 in the parish Hall, earning just over $4,000 in new books for the preschool and grades 1-8 classrooms and the school library! Thanks to generous upfront “shopping spree” donations by the Knights of Columbus and St. Rose Ladies Guild and the many parents and grandparents that donated from the Teacher’s... READ MORE >
From the LCNRD Lewis and Clark Natural Resources District will receive $132,425 from the Nebraska Environmental Trust for the “Bow Creek Watershed Project.” The Trust Board announced funding for the project at its meeting on June 11, 2020 in Lincoln. This is the first year of award with a potential for 2nd and 3rd year funding totaling $85,195 and $44,345... READ MORE >
NOTE: In our ongoing series called, “Veteran Stories,” this week we feature Walter “Walt” Wiebelhaus, who is probably best known around Crofton for opening Wiebelhaus Recreation with his wife, Eva, in 1946. But Wiebelhaus also served as an assistant hatch foreman with the 246th Port Company during World War II. Walter Wiebelhaus was born on Dec. 8, 1924 in... READ MORE >
By: Nancy DeBlauw Journal Staff No doubt the national news everyone has been hearing in regard to changes in the US Postal Service has given us all one more reason to worry about something. In response to the Crofton Journal’s questions to Crofton’s local Post office about the continuation of normal service and the handling of mail-in ballots this... READ MORE >
The 2020 Knox County Valuations were released by the Knox County Assessor this past week, marking about a 2 percent increase in overall property valuation for the residents. Each year the Knox County Assessor values property – real estate, personal property and centrally valued – to provide valuations of properties for taxing agencies to then set their levies for... READ MORE >
The Wakefield City Council unanimously approved opening Graves Park to the Public including the bathrooms, playground equipment, and concession stand. With football season looming on the horizon, the council decided it was time to open up the park and prepare for the season to come- if it comes. According to several sources, including the Nebraska School... READ MORE >
Sophia Wortmann, from Lucky Livewires 4-H Club, Crofton explains the heritage, Standards of Perfection and poultry care information with the judge during the 4-H Poultry Show on Sunday morning at the Knox County Fair in Bloomfield. The fair saw record numbers of 4-H poultry and waterfowl exhibited this year.Kaydence Jansen, Lucky Livewires 4-H Club, Crofton, gave... READ MORE >
Beginning Division: Cecilia Wortmann of Crofton. She is the daughter of Chris and Holly and a member of the Lucky Livewires 4-H Club. The trophy was sponsored by Main Street Treasures of Crofton. Beginning Division: Collyns Stout of Crofton. Collyns is the daughter of Nick and Aliza and a member of the Lucky Livewires 4-H Club. The trophy was sponsored by the Knox... READ MORE >
Berkley, Braxton, and Addison Hames, wearing their face masks, get ready to board the school bus operated by Curt Steffen at 7:10 a.m. Parents are Jamie and Chelsi Hames. St. Rose teacher Donna Arens checks the temperature of student Trace Tramp on the first day of school before Mass. Staff member Shellie Andereson checks the temperature on kindergarten student... READ MORE >
By Tim Hofmann Nebraska News Service Since the pandemic started disrupting businesses across Nebraska in mid March, 284 people from Knox County have filed for unemployment. That's 5.9 percent of the county's labor force who have been affected, according to a U.S. Department of Labor estimate of the number of workers from when the pandemic began. ... READ MORE >
Veda Chase, Sharon Keck, and Mike Chase of the Community Bible Church packed boxes of appreciation to distribute to law enforcement officers in Crofton, Bloomfield and Knox County. The boxes contained snacks, homemade goodies, a daily devotional, and an anonymous cash gift from a church member. Lois Keck of the Crofton Community Bible Church delivered boxes of... READ MORE >
Sidebar for e-editions With the new website, there has also come a new E-Edition login, but the same access to the current week as long as all prior weeks of the Crofton Journal. E-Edition readers should click the “Menu” button in the upper right side of the website, or on the mobile app, and then click the “E-Edition” button, and put in their regular login... READ MORE >
Throughout the years, Crofton has been blessed with an active American Legion – veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, and Gulf War/War on Terrorism. These Legion members have carried on the traditions of honor guards at funerals and Memorial Day services, placing flags on gravesites, leading homecoming... READ MORE >
Game and Parks continues to reopen pools, education centers and state park facilities The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced recently the continued reopening of several facilities, activities and amenities in state park and recreation areas across the state. They include: Most Nebraska state park swimming pools, aquatic centers and the Platte... READ MORE >
Larry Stallbaum working on 2nd Street resurfacing. Leon Wakely applies a new layer of asphalt to 2nd Street south of Highway 12. Residents will notice several streets in Crofton being resurfaced. Crofton city workers Larry Stallbaum and Leon Wakely take a brief break for the camera while working on 2nd Street on June 24. READ MORE >
Runners, bikers and kayakers can celebrate the news that Crofton’s Dam Race, set for July 25, 2020, has been approved by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, as well as the North Central District Health Department. The race committee, comprised of local volunteers and leadership at the Lewis & Clark State Rec Area, has been working closely with both departments... READ MORE >
After right at six and a half hours, punctuated by more than an hour of executive session, the Niobrara Board of Education voted unanimously, 6-0, to allow James Parks to continue his contract as an educator at Niobrara Public Schools, on Monday, June 22 at Niobrara Public Schools. The Board returned to open session, and had the attorney hired to moderate the... READ MORE >
Enjoy July 4th Celebrations – But be Safe! Fourth of July is a major day of celebration with traditional fireworks displays. When it comes to shooting off your own fireworks, make safety the top priority. Keep in mind, in 2018 fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and... READ MORE >
Same great service with a few tweaks. That’s what Gary Guenther, new owner of Steffen Service is saying about the gas shop and convenience store on Highway 12. Guenther officially took over ownership on April 1 and he’s excited about continuing to serve the Crofton community. While many services will remain the same, there will be some changes and... READ MORE >
When the high school basketball teams from two of your communities take the court against each other, it's the perfect time to have a little fun as well! Kevin from our Plainview location and Tyler from our Creighton location squared off at halftime of the Creighton vs. Plainview basketball game for a free throw shooting contest! Each of them shot free throws for... READ MORE >