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Above: Nelson’s Food Pride grocery store owner Julie Johnson stands in the aisle with Swedish goods at her family’s grocery store in Oakland. She tries to know the name of every customer who enters. “That’s small-town business,” she said. “Somebody has a birth and we hug them, and they have a death and we hug them.” Photo by Jerry L Mennenga for the Flatwater Free Press

Above: Nelson’s Food Pride grocery store owner Julie Johnson stands in the aisle with Swedish goods at her family’s grocery store in Oakland. She tries to know the name of every customer who enters. “That’s small-town business,” she said. “Somebody has a birth and we hug them, and they have a death and we hug them.” Photo by Jerry L Mennenga for the Flatwater Free Press

Grocery Goliath: Small-Town Nebraska Grocery Stores Disappear as Dollar General Booms

Natalia Alamdari
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
OAKLAND — If you drive down U.S. Highway 77, you won’t see the grocery store that has managed to keep afloat in this town for more than 100 years. It’s five blocks off the highway, on Oakland’s main drag.What you will see is a bright yellow sign, beckoning highway drivers to make a pit stop.
Above: Emily Triplett and Tasha Weller check in two ladies for the garden tour.

Above: Emily Triplett and Tasha Weller check in two ladies for the garden tour.

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OSCEOLA’S 2ND ANNUAL GARDEN TOUR

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
OSCEOLA - On Saturday, 120 people gathered for Osceola’s second annual garden tours. This is a community event fundraiser for the Osceola Community Action Group.This year four gardens were featured followed by a garden party luncheon.

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Hamm Case Moved to District Court

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
CENTRALCITY- On Wednesday, July 16th Jonathan T. Scheerer- Hamm’s case was bound over to district court at the preliminary hearing.The county judge must have found sufficient evidence for probable cause, which is why it’s bound over to district court.

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Senior Center

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Farmer’s Market continues in Shelby. Center will be serving ice cream treats. Stop in for a cool treat.Join us at the center for coffee and chat. Better yet, look over the menu and come for a meal.See you at the Polk County Fair.

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Farmers’ Market

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Farmers’ market coupons are available to persons over 60. Income guidelines for one, $28,953/ year; two-person household, $39,128/year. If you qualify contact Avis at the senior center, 402-527-5158 or 402-527-5554.
Register byAug. 19 at 402-223-1384. Sponsored by Peoples Company. Aug. 21 in Columbus: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension

Register byAug. 19 at 402-223-1384. Sponsored by Peoples Company. Aug. 21 in Columbus: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension

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Extension ag land management workshops

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
NORTH PLATTE — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will present a series of 2025 landlord/tenant cash rent workshops at locations in central and eastern Nebraska between Aug. 19 and Sept. 4.
“The Implant and Surgical Approach Choices Every Cataract Patient Should Understand”

“The Implant and Surgical Approach Choices Every Cataract Patient Should Understand”

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“The Implant and Surgical Approach Choices Every Cataract Patient Should Understand”

Vance Thompson, Md
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Introduction Few decisions in life are more impactful than the choice to undergo cataract surgery—and how to have it done. Because cataract surgery is so common, many patients don’t realize it involves important decisions that can affect their vision for the rest of their lives.
Library News

Library News

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Library News

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Book club reading list for Shelby Community Library: July: A Perfect Evil byAlex Kava August: Women in White Coats by Olivia Campbee September: After the Crash by Michel Bussi October: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton November: Winter Street Bk.