Courtesy photos Alexis Kuchar runs a leg of the 4x100-meter relay, and St. Francis competed April 10 at the High Plains track meet in Osceola.

HSF girls 6th, boys 8th at Hgh Plains

The St. Francis girls placed 6th and the boys 8th April 10 at the High Plains Invitational in Osceola. Medaling for the Flyers are as follows: 100-meter dash — 3. Lillie Beltz; 5. Gavin Geilenkirchen 200-meter dash — 2. Lillie Beltz; 3. Gavin...

Emma Classen

Classen, Schneider earn Legion Auxiliary $500 scholarships

Two students are recipients of the American Legion Post 80 Humphrey American Legion Auxiliary scholarships for $500. The scholarships have been awarded to St. Francis senior Emma Classen and Humphrey High School senior Abilyn Schneider. Emma is the...

The Humphrey Public School FCCLA sent 19 to the State Leadership Conference April 7-9 in LIncoln. Courtesy photo

19 HPS FCCLA members compete at State Leadership Conference

Humphrey FCCLA had 19 members from Humphrey Public Schools attend the State Leadership Conference in Lincoln April 7-9. The students went to breakout sessions, presented their STAR projects and attended a dance. The Humphrey FCCLA Chapter received a...

St. Francis students are interviewed by local business people as part of a lesson in business communication skills. Courtesy photo

St. Francis students get first-hand experience with job interviews

St. Francis business teacher Katelynn Micek has been working with the sophomores on business communications skills. They have looked into careers and created resumes. On April 8, eight adults from the community, who are or have been involved in...

Summit Pork opened its 6,250-head swine finishing operation in Gage County's Hanover Township in 2023. Summit Pork’s owner, Bruce Rastetter, gave $50,000 to Gov. Jim Pillen’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign, according to state campaign finance records. Photo by Eric Gregory for the Flatwater Free Press

Pillen, livestock groups shape legislation

At a February legislative hearing, a seemingly mundane bill reforming county zoning procedures drew testimony from a big name: Gov. Jim Pillen. For those seeking to build projects such as livestock operations, Pillen said, applying for a permit from...

Medaling for St. Francis at the Osceola Invite April 2 are, left to right, Jacob Keller, Carson Wessel, Matthew Brockhaus and Andrew Kosch. Courtesy photo

Flyers medal at Osceola

The St. Francis golf team participated in its first meet of the season at the Osceola Invite April 2. The format was a 2-person scramble as each school could bring up to 3 2-person teams. The conditions were very difficult with strong north winds...

News

1 week of state hoops

Wed, 05/05/2021 - 4:00am

Next year’s girls and boys state basketball tournament will be played during the same week.

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Veterans Park to be dedicated May 29

Wed, 05/05/2021 - 4:00am

The Humphrey American Legion Foltz-Zuerlein Post 80 will dedicate the Veterans Park.

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Chef and hotdog connoisseur Father Wayne Pavela held his annual Father Wayne’s Hotdog Extravaganza during basketball games at St. Francis. The event always draws large crowds that enjoys the variety of hotdogs Father Wayne and volunteers make. Democrat photos

Father Wayne has served St. Francis for 24 years, and now will get to enjoy his Chicago Cubs, gardening and traveling as he enters retirement.

Father Wayne Pavela reads the story of the birth of Jesus during the Living Nativity, which is he started at St. Francis.

More time to garden

Wed, 05/05/2021 - 4:00am

A gentleman farmer, traveler and Cubs fan.

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St. Francis second-graders raised money for Covenant House in Stromsburg during a March read-a-thon. Pictured, front row, left to right, Tate Schumacher, Kaden Frauendorfer, Milo Ramaekers, Bennett Brandl, Kinley Classen, Kenna Olmer and Alivia Weihn. Back row, Will Morfeld, Olliver Tasa, Camden Mundil, Knox ruland, Taylor Czarnick, Elizabeth Keller, Emerie Small, Jacob Preister, Kelsey Kosch, Will Keller and Jordi Jo Reichmuth. Courtesy photo

HSF second-graders hit the books to help Covenant House

Wed, 04/28/2021 - 4:00am

The second-grade students at St. Francis participated in a read-a-thon throughout March with all proceeds donated to Covenant House in Stromsburg.

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Hailey Goering, right, checks on her friends, Maddie Howard, left, and Colton Stankoski, background. Goering was the driver of the vehicle, who lost control and flipped the car on its top. Democrat photos

Peighton Eisenmenger has make-up applied Monday morning at the Humphrey Fire & Rescue Station. She portrayed the victim of a drunk-driving accident.

The Humphrey Rescue Unit works the mock accident Monday morning on the gravel road outside of Humphrey. The scene depicts a drunk driver who causes the death of one and serious injuries to two others. Democrat photos