Harlan County Journal

07/05/2025

07/04/2025

UDATE: FIREWORKS POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 5 AT 10 PM

Alma's Chamber of Commerce parade is at 10:30 a.m. and Fireworks at 10 p.m.
Have a safe and enjoyable day celebrating freedom!

07/02/2025

FYI...
For the most current lake information, click on their page.

🚨 Alert: Temporary Beach Closure at Gremlin Cove – Harlan County Lake 🚨

Weekly sampling conducted by the Lower Republican Natural Resource District has detected high E. Coli levels at Gremlin Cove Beach, currently measuring 365.4 colonies per 100 ml of water.

This exceeds the EPA-recommended safety threshold of 235, prompting health concerns for swimmers.

In alignment with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy, swim beaches may be temporarily closed during the summer season due to:
• Bacterial contamination
• Blue-green algae blooms
• High-water levels

Temporary closure signs will be placed at the Gremlin Cove Beach entrance to notify the public of these conditions and protect visitor health and safety.

The area will be tested again on July 7, with results expected the following day.

For a comprehensive list of current lake conditions and closures, visit:
Kansas City District > Locations > District Lakes (army.mil).

Weekly water quality updates are also posted on the Nebraska DEQ Beach Watch website.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our recreation sites safe for all.

| | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters | Northwestern Division, US Army Corps of Engineers USACE

06/20/2025

Tractors in the 9th Annual All NE Tractor Drive arrive at the South Outlet below Harlan County Dam where they will eat lunch before crossing the Dam and heading back to Franklin.

The current temperature is 93°F. 38% humidity. Wind 22.

06/16/2025

𝗡𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗽 2025 ✓

The Nebraska Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament was held June 14 and 15, 2025. Weigh-in was at North Shore Marina.

Watch for winner photos and information in an upcoming edition of your Journal

06/15/2025

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵
Sponsored by Fat Willy's, today was perfect weather for the annual car show on Circle Dr. in Republican City.

Watch for the winners in an upcoming issue of your Journal

06/14/2025

Good morning, Harlan County!
There's a rainbow above you this morning!

06/14/2025

𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞

During the Nebraska Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament rules meeting held at the Methodist Cove shelter Friday evening, June 13, 2025, it was announced that Harlan County Lake will finally get a new dredge!!

Brooke Janssen has been working on securing a dredge for Harlan County Lake and only learned Sunday that her two years of hard work and diligence has paid off.

Here is what Brooke had to say on the Life in Alma page...

"Big News for Harlan County Lake and Surrounding Communities!
We’re thrilled to share that the urgent need for a dredge at Harlan County Lake has been heard and prioritized by Senator Deb Fischer’s office. While Congress has not passed a full budget for FY25, Senator Fischer has worked closely with the Kansas City Army Corps of Engineers to secure funding THIS fiscal year for the purchase of a dredge!
This is a major win — not only for our recreational lake users but also for the local businesses that depend on the lake’s economic impact to stay strong and continue serving our community.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Senator Fischer and her team for recognizing the critical importance of this project and making this happen. When the dredge is ready for delivery, we would love to welcome her to Harlan County to celebrate this milestone with us and meet the community she has impacted!
Stay tuned — more updates of the dredge and how we plan to keep this momentum going!"
- Brooke Janssen

Pictured: Tom Zikmund, US Army Corps of Engineers and Gary Janssen, Nebraska Governor's Cup Tournament Director congratulate Brooke Janssen on a job well done!
Photo by Angela Bellware

Watch for additional details in a coming edition of the Harlan County Journal

06/11/2025

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩? 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮??
A group organized a fundraiser to support the Orleans swimming pool.
Georgia Mroczek, Lacey Bantam, Natalie Horwart, Zac McKenzie and Mya Walker set up under the tree south of the picnic shelter to serve up a $7 meal deal including a we**ie, chips, choice of sugar cookie or rice crispy treat and a bottle of water. All proceeds will go to the Orleans pool.
The group was to serve from 6-8 and sold out.
Anyone who would like to donate but couldn't get to the park can drop off a donation at Heritage Bank in Orleans.

06/04/2025

Road work is being done on hwy 183 at the tracks and at the intersection of 183 and 136 in Alma. Traffic is not one lane at both locations. Be prepared to stop.

In addition, the entrance to the city park is closed and there is no parking in front of the auditorium.

05/31/2025

Orleans Dirt Drags gettin' ready to kick up some dust!
Watch for more in your Journal!