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Articles by Patrick Murphy
Thoughts of World War II led Humphrey farm boy to serve during Korean War
HUMPHREY — “The Russians were causing a stir.” That is why Bob Zach said he went to Germany during the Korean War. He was born Jan. 31, 1931, to Vincent Jr. and Matilda Zach and grew up 2 miles southeast of Humphrey with his six siblings on the family farm that was homesteaded in 1875 by his grandfather, Vincent Zach Sr. He walked 2 miles to school at St. Mary’s until eighth grade.
Elmer Zach was in the military police in Korea and the kitchen
HUMPHREY — From guarding prisoners to the kitchen. Elmer Zach of Humphrey served the country in Korea during the war. He grew up on the family farm 2.5 miles south of Humphrey with his parents, Vincent and Matilda, along with siblings, Bob, Mary Ann, Betty, Maurice, Larry and Joni. He was drafted into the U.S. Army when he was 21 and did basic training at Fort Ord, located in northwestern Monterey County, California, along the edge of Monterey Bay, approximately 80 miles south of San Francisco.
Service important to Korth; Lindsay man insisted on staying in U.S. Army
LINDSAY — Vernell Korth had a chance to get out of the U.S. Army but wanted to serve. The 95-year-old Lindsay man was drafted by the Army and served from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He was already a member of the National Guard, and he felt a duty to his country. Korth grew up 5 miles south of St. Bernard, where his parents, Frank and Emma Korth, farmed, along with two brothers and four sisters: Florene, Bob, Bernice, Art, Mary Ann and Elaine.
Townships to continue in Platte County
Townships will continue in Platte County. Voters overwhelmingly cast ballots against eliminating the townships and turning over maintenance of all roads to the county highway department. Also, the Platte County Board of Supervisors will remain the form of government instead of commissioners. Unofficially, there were 7,652 votes cast against eliminating townships and 3,190 in favor.
Wendt bulldozed way through Iceland, served in Korean War
Iceland is a long way from Nebraska. That’s where Kenneth Wendt of rural Humphrey found himself during the Korean War. For his service, Mike Korth adjutant for Humphrey American Legion Post 80, and Gary Wemhoff, Legion member, presented him with the Korean War recognition coin at his home last month.
Humphrey to add camper pads, parking
HUMPHREY — The installation of new camper pads and elimination of the sand volleyball courts for more parking has been approved by the Humphrey City Council. Additional camping pads will be created in the park, and the council approved electrical work for the pads. Top Notch Electric will do the work with bid of $17,710. Three-fourths of the work is replacing electrical the overhead power lines that run through the park.
Settje receives Korean War coin from Gov. Pillen
LEIGH — Gov. Jim Pillen and his wife, Suzanne Pillen, made a special trip Sunday to Leigh to present Stanley Settje with the Korean War recognition coin. Settje, a native of Creston, served from 1952 to 1954. He answered the call to serve while still in high school by enlisting in the U.S. Army during his senior year. Surrounded by family, Settje received his coin from Pillen, who praised him and other veterans who bravely served the country.
CVA opens new cardtrol in Humphrey
Fill ’er up. Central Valley Ag’s new cardtrol is open on the frontage road along Highway 81. Brent Reichmuth, senior vice president of operations, said the new Humphrey Cardtrol is a significant upgrade, but the biggest improvement is really access. “Getting semis in and out of our current cardtrol has become more difficult, and we knew we needed more room,” Reichmuth said.
An accident allowed Don Sjuts to travel home from Germany
It was an accidental trip home for Christmas. Don Sjuts was serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, but a vehicular accident landed him back home on Christmas Day. A 1953 graduate of Humphrey Public School, Sjuts grew up on a farm a half-mile from Cornlea with his parents, George and Lena Sjuts, and a brother, Henry, and three sisters, Elsie, Imelda and Jean.
Legion baseball coming to Humphrey
HUMPHREY — American Legion baseball is coming to Humphrey. Kevin Small and Chance Boesch are spearheading the program and have received permission from the Humphrey City Council to have the baselines on the west field extended to 90 feet to accommodate American Legion regulations. The council agreed to cut the grass line and extend the base paths for next season. Boesch said a survey was sent to parents of potential 8- to 12-year-olds to gauge the interest in playing Legion baseball.
Lindsay board annexes property
LINDSAY — The annexation of land in Arrow Ridge Addition was approved by the Lindsay Village Board of Trustees during its Oct. 5 meeting. The board passed the third and final reading of the ordinance annexing property adjacent to the north edge of the corporate limits. The property, owned by Wade Pfeifer, is Block 1 Lot 5 of Arrow Ridge Addition. In a separate agenda item, the board approved setting up new bank accounts for various projects.
A vision realized: Mead Family Cancer Center opens in Columbus
COLUMBUS — With a snip of the scissors, Columbus Community Hospital’s commitment to providing the best healthcare in the area continued Thursday morning with the ribbon cutting and open house for the Mead Family Cancer Center. The center, located adjacent to CCH, was made possible by the generous donation from the Mead family.
Humphrey Public accepts alternate bids for facility
HUMPHREY — Three alternates will be part of the new Humphrey Public School 7-12 construction. Board members approved moving forward with three of the seven proposed alternates during a special meeting Sept. 28 of the board of education. John Wieser, senior project manager for Hausmann Construction, presented the alternates. Alternate No. 2 provides for a full kitchen at a cost of $184,409. Alternate No. 4 provides 20% of additional storage cabinetry in all classrooms at a cost of $49,029.
Humphrey cuts levy in 2026-27 budget
HUMPHREY — Humphrey’s tax levy was reduced as the city council approved its 2026-27 fiscal year budget during its Sept. 21 meeting. The council held three public hearings. The first was on the levy, followed by public hearings on the one- and six-year street projects and rezoning recommendation. The council approved Resolution 923 setting the levy for 2026-27 at $.461469 per $100 of assessed value. The council approved Ordinance 779 adopting the 2026-27 budget.
Local firefighters, rescue personnel give so much to help others
We hope we never need them but are glad they are there when we do. They are paid in thank-yous, prayers, maybe memorials, but nothing that adds to their bank accounts. Area fire and rescue personnel are volunteers. They have other jobs but made the choice to serve their communities in a way that means much more than a paycheck.
Humphrey resident named nurse of the year
HUMPHREY — A natural interest in science and the human body, combined with the influence of educator parents, led Jenna Hesse into nursing, a decision that has benefited countless people throughout her career. The Humphrey resident has been named the Nebraska Nurses Association’s 2026 nurse of the year. Hesse will receive the award Thursday, Oct. 1, at the annual NNA awards dinner at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.
Humphrey Public School board approves budget for 2026-27
HUMPHREY — The Humphrey Public School Board of Education approved the 2026-27 budget and tax request resolution following two public hearings earlier this month. Board members had agreed during a special meeting Aug. 31 to approve a budget with the least impact on taxpayers. The board voted to not use the added taxing authority, which is a provision that allows school districts to increase property tax requests beyond the standard limit.
Zach went from a farm in rural Humphrey to serving in the Korean War
HUMPHREY — Like so many young men, Ferd Zach was plunked from the farm to a foreign land to serve our country. Zach, 94, grew up on a family farm 3 miles southeast of Humphrey, was drafted in July 1952 by the U.S. Army, spent basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and just before Christmas was shipped off to Korea. “We didn’t know it (he would be going to Korea) until the end of basic training,” he said. Although he went from rural Nebraska to Korea, Zach said he was just doing his duty.
Lindsay board cuts levy 7%
LINDSAY — The tax levy is going down 7% in Lindsay. The board of trustees of the Village of Lindsay adopted Resolution 9-9-26 to lower the tax levy to .59 for the 2026-27 fiscal year following the budget hearing Sept. 9. The levy for the general fund is .45 and for the bond fund is .14, for a total of .59. The tax levy for the 2025-26 fiscal year was .63. Village clerk/treasurer John Haynes explained because property valuation rose, the levy was able to be reduced.
Annexation of land moves forward; speed limit cuts in Lindsay
LINDSAY — The annexation of land in Arrow Ridge Addition and the reduction of the speed limit near Farmers Cooperative was part of two public hearings Sept. 8 at the Lindsay Village Board of Trustees meeting. The board passed the second of three readings on the ordinance annexing property adjacent to the north edge of the corporate limits. The third and final reading will take place at the Monday, Oct.
100 years of the Grotto at St. Michael’s Parish celebrated; 16 Tarnov veterans are remembered
TARNOV — Tarnov’s history, its faith, and those who served our country were honored Aug. 31 during a Eucharistic Procession, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Memorial Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. The procession began in St. Michael’s Church, where 16 veterans and their families were honored. The Rev. Taylor Leffler then led the procession to the altar at the statue of St. Michael’s, to St. Michael’s Cemetery and to the Grotto before heading back to the church for a final prayer.
Bids approved for construction of Humphrey Public Schools building
HUMPHREY — Contracts have been awarded for the Humphrey Public School 7-12 facility. The board of education heard an update on the project during a special meeting Aug. 31. Several bids were accepted for the project, which is slated to start this fall. Doernemann Construction of Clarkson will do the earth work at a cost of $245,910, which is $46,000 under the original budget. The utility work will be done by Rutjens Construction of Tilden for $353,890.
Townships can be eliminated, but it is complicated and time-consuming
With fewer than 60 days until the general election, there are still vacancies in some township races. That could mean bad news for those townships; however, it is a long, complicated process before a township is eliminated and absorbed by Platte County. Write-in candidates must file an affidavit since they missed the deadline to file for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. The write-in affidavit deadline is Friday, Oct. 23.
9/11 memorial ceremony held in Columbus
COLUMBUS — A time of remembrance, a time of resiliency. Friday morning’s 9/11 ceremony at the Freedom Eagle monument in the Higgins Memorial in Columbus marked the 25th anniversary of the attacks on American soil. On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes to carry out coordinated suicide attacks in the United States. Two hijacked planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City. Both towers collapsed, destroying much of lower Manhattan.
Archangels Catholic files to dismiss lawsuit
HUMPHREY — Attorneys for Archangels Catholic High School are asking a Platte County judge to throw out a lawsuit brought by a former employee, arguing that federal constitutional protections grant religious schools absolute authority over their ministerial staff. Attorneys representing Archangels, Patrick M. Flood and Sydney M. Grad of Omaha, filed a motion to dismiss Sept. 2 in the District Court of Platte County.
9/11 memorial to be Friday in Columbus
COLUMBUS — A ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11/2001 will be at Higgins Memorial in Columbus. On Friday, Sept. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Freedom Eagle monument in the Higgins Memorial, there will be a 25th anniversary commemoration and wreath laying in remembrance of 9/11/2001. The event is sponsored by the David City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Platte County Visitors Bureau and the Andrew Jackson Higgins Memorial Foundation.
Polish consulate traces roots to Tarnov
TARNOV — It was a reminder of home and their history for members of the consul general of the Republic of Poland. Regina Jurkowska, consul general of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, and vice consul Oskar Gradziel were in Tarnov on Aug. 28, touring St. Michael’s Church, museum and cemetery as part of their tour of 11 states in their consulate region. Those states are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
19-year-old discovers deeper connection to aviation
COLUMBUS — He had a co-pilot the whole time. Levi Hrouda, 19, of Columbus is off to Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer, Iowa, joining the aviation program. The May graduate of Columbus Lakeview and son of Russell and Heather Hrouda has been taking flying lessons — just like his late great-grandfather, Leonard, which is Levi’s middle name. Leonard was a B-25 bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II but did not see combat.
Minister comes to Northeast Nebraska from South Africa
From Zimbabwe to the pulpit in Northeast Nebraska. The Rev. Juliet Chirowa is serving Trinity Methodist Church in Madison, where she has Humphrey area parishioners, and Westridge United Methodist Church in Norfolk. It is her life in Zimbabwe that shaped who she is. “I am originally from Zimbabwe in southern Africa,” she said. “I grew up in Zimbabwe in a family and community where faith, family relationships, respect for others and helping one another were very important values.
City of Humphrey to issue bonds
HUMPHREY — General obligation water and sewer bonds will be issued by the City of Humphrey. The city council approved the ordinance at its Aug. 17 meeting to issue the bonds not to exceed $1.8 million to finance the cost of constructing water, sewer and related improvements to the city. The project is to extend water and sewer services to the annexed area at a cost of $1.6 million.
Pillen touts people of Nebraska at Humphrey ag event
HUMPHREY — There’s a lot to be proud of in Nebraska. Gov. Jim Pillen spoke to a crowd as part of a customer appreciation event hosted by Dean and Ryan Preister and Kale and Riley Huettner at the Humphrey Community Center. The governor spoke about his four-day trade mission to Osaka, Japan, and to Manila, Philippines, to sell Nebraska beef, pork and wheat, to talk expanding markets for Nebraska ethanol and to identify opportunities for Nebraska to produce energy for Asian customers.
Albrachts’ opening home to celebrate 100 years
HUMPHREY — For nearly 100 years, the house has been filled with laughter, cooked thousands of meals, and hosted at least that many family and friends. Now, John and Jerry Albracht are the caretakers of the family home, and they are opening the doors to share the family dwelling. The house at 404 Elm St. in Humphrey has seen a lot and taken on a new look over the years. Ignitz and Maria Zach came to the country in 1877 from Vienna, Austria, and farmed southeast of Humphrey.
Humphrey Public School breaks ground on new 7-12 facility
HUMPHREY — A turn of the shovels pointed to the future at Humphrey Public School. Last Friday, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on the future site of the new 7-12 school building. School officials, representatives from the city, students and the engineering firm and construction company were on hand. Brice King, Humphrey Public Schools superintendent, addresses the crowd at the groundbreaking.
Statewide, fewer people are running for public offices
Candidates are lacking in coming local races. In fact, candidates are lacking in local races across the state. No candidates have filed for election in four Platte County townships, with just one candidate in one other. The filing deadline passed July 15 for incumbents to seek reelection, and Aug. 3 was the deadline for new candidates to file. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. “As far as filings, I think it’s definitely been a trend,” Platte County Election Commissioner Eryn Roberts said.
Sign-up underway for flag football league
Northeast Nebraska NFL is kicking off in Humphrey again this year. Ryan Sorensen, organizer, said The league is open to kids 9 and under. There is a new league, Fusion Football, and kids ages 10-12 are encouraged to play Fusion Football. Humphrey will have at least one Fusion team that will practice in Humphrey and play games in Norfolk. As for the Northeast Nebraska National Flag Football League (NFL), the Humphrey league is part of this league.
Braun case to stay in Platte County
HUMPHREY — A federal judge has ruled a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit filed by a former school counselor against Archangels Catholic High School belongs in Nebraska state court, rejecting the school’s attempt to keep the case in federal court. In an order filed July 31, Senior U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon granted plaintiff Melissa Braun’s motion to remand the case to Platte County District Court and directed the federal clerk’s office to close the case.
Groundbreaking ceremony set in Humphrey
HUMPHREY — The first day of school marks the first step toward a new school. On Friday, Aug. 14, Humphrey Public School officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 7-12 building at 9:30 a.m. on the site of the new school at the west end of Chestnut Street. The public is invited to attend the ceremony. The ceremonial first step toward the construction of a new school comes on the first day of school for the 2026-27 school year.
Boards say ending townships will be costly and hurt service
Representatives from every Platte County township were contacted for comment using the contact information provided by the election commissioner’s office and highway department. WASHED-OUT CULVERTS Jack Luedtke, chairman of Creston Township, said he’s been trying to get work done in the area for years, and if townships are eliminated, he’s worried that issue will grow.
More absentee ballots cast since COVID
The way Platte County residents vote has changed dramatically over the past two decades, but voters still make their votes count. Election records from 2006 through 2024 reveal that Platte County has steadily adapted to new voting options. The most noticeable shift has been the growing popularity of absentee voting, a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued even as traditional voting patterns returned.
Construction of new Humphrey Public School likely to start in September
Work could begin as early as September on the new Humphrey Public School 7-through-12 building. Plans are being made for a ground-breaking ceremony Friday, Aug. 14 - the first day of school - and dirt work is likely to begin around mid-September. The Norfolk Daily News reports a couple of meetings recently finalized design plans. Superintendent Brice King updated the board of education on the project during the July 13 meeting, including the physical address of 28685 460th Street.
Construction of new Humphrey Public School likely to start in September
HUMPHREY — Work could begin as early as September on the new Humphrey Public School 7-12 building. Plans are being made for a ground-breaking ceremony Friday, Aug. 14 — the first day of school — and dirt work is likely to begin around mid-September. A couple of meetings recently finalized design plans.
Ceremony rededicates memorial at Higgins National Monument
COLUMBUS — The Korean War memorial is right where it belongs. In a rededication ceremony Saturday morning at Andrew Higgins National Memorial in Columbus, veterans of the Korean War were honored as the memorial found a permanent home. The ceremony included members of American Legion Hartman Post 84; John Hilgert, director of Nebraska Veterans Affairs; Sen.
Loverchecks become new owners of Humphrey newspaper
HUMPHREY — The Humphrey Democrat has been sold. Patrick and Kelly Murphy have sold the weekly newspaper to Barbara and Darin Lovercheck effective today. The Murphys will stay on indefinitely to help with the transition. Barbara Lovercheck will be in the office and receive help from Steph Hogancamp, English and journalism teacher at Humphrey Public School. Lovercheck retired in May after 32 years of teaching at Humphrey Public Schools.
Area priest more comfortable in role after first year
HUMPHREY — A lot can happen in a year, and there’s a lot still to do. The Rev. Taylor Leffler came to the Family of God Catholic Parishes in July 2025, hitting the ground running, and his Installation Mass is at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, celebrated by Archbishop Michael McGovern. Getting to know the parishes, schools and the people in each community is a chore, add meetings and raising money for a new school, and Leffler has been busy. He said it’s been a good year of learning.
Fate of township boards will be up to voters
COLUMBUS — Voters will decide whether township boards will be eliminated in Platte County and whether the supervisor form of government will be replaced by a seven-member County Board of Commissioners. During a meeting in Columbus, the Platte County Board of Supervisors approved 4-3 the wording that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Voting in favor of the wording were Jerry Micek, Kim Kawpnioski, Ron Reilly and Gene Trouba. Voting no were John Harms, Joe Ott and Bob Lloyd.
Lindsay board talks street projects
LINDSAY — Street work is being planned in Lindsay. The village board approved the work during its meeting earlier this month. The board agreed to seek three bids to be presented at the August meeting to raise six manholes in the village and pour a 4-foot-by-4-foot-by-6-inch concrete pad around each of them. The board has one bid from Obrist Construction for $1,200 but wants two more bids by August. The manholes are buried under dirt and gravel and are located in alleys around town.
Hemmer uses age-old technique to find water
Follow the rods. Scott Hemmer, owner of Hemmer Dowsing and Water Witching, is bringing back an age-old method for locating water veins. “So what I do is I locate water wells for farmers, homeowners, anybody who’s having issues finding water right off the get-go,” he said. “Whether they say they’ve drilled four or five test wells and aren’t coming up with what they needed and I do it the old-fashioned way.
Humphrey golf cart ordinance will be enforced
State and local laws pertaining to golf carts will be enforced. On June 15, the Humphrey City Council passed an ordinance governing the operation of golf carts. Mayor Robert Preister said it’s a matter of safety. “Somebody’s going to get hurt, a little kid is going to fall off a golf cart,” he said. “It needs to be abided by.” Local law enforcement will make sure operators adhere to the law. Platte County Sheriff Ed Wemhoff said the state law is on the books, and his officers will enforce it.
Alumni invited to Rivalry Reunion volleyball tournament and all-star gathering in Lindsay
LINDSAY — A new event aims to bring neighboring rural Nebraska communities together for a day of friendly competition, hometown pride and reconnecting with former classmates and rivals. Alumni from neighboring communities are invited to form a team, represent their hometown, or gather with former classmates in the upper-level party space overlooking all four courts during Rivalry Reunion: Coed Alumni Volleyball Tournament & All-School Alumni Party on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Lindsay Event Center.
NeFarmTok holding fundraiser in Humphrey
NeFarmTok wants to help. The Nebraska-based nonprofit organization is holding a fundraiser in Humphrey on Saturday, July 11, to raise money for a new ambulance for the Humphrey Rescue Department and to help the Rozner family of Cozad recover from a fire that destroyed their home. Cyndi Schure of Humphrey is the NeFarmTok president and organizer of the fundraiser.
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