Harlan County Journal

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Alma, NE
Harlan County Journal

Local Newspaper ~ Covering... Alma, Orleans, Republican City, Huntley, Ragan, Oxford, Stamford and S

11/29/2025

Tomorrow - Saturday, November 29th - in Harlan County

11/26/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐚, 𝐍𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐚! ...
In December of 1946 the Alma, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce hosted a promotion to draw attention to the town - dropping twenty live turkeys from a low altitude plane piloted by Jim Waldo.

As the plane dropped turkeys on Main Street, residents scrambled for the catch of the day. Some gobblers landed in the business district but others flew further and had to be chased down.

One lucky resident, Ruth Swindell, managed to catch a turkey that landed on her porch. Another resident managed to pull one through a window and into her upper level apartment after it landed on an awning below.

The event served as inspiration for turkey-dropping stunts and promotions that in Nebraska over the next 30+ years.

Long predating the famous episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, Alma's promotion was considered a success that generated excitement and publicity... clear into 2025.

*The episode of WKRP in Cincinnati was written by Bill Dial and Hugh Wilson and was an adaptation and exaggeration of an early 1960's radio station promotion in Dallas, Texas where the station manager had turkeys dropped from a truck in a shopping center parking lot, which proved chaotic.

While the Alma promotion took place in December, we feel that it's a great share for Thanksgiving Day. We, at Harlan County Journal, wish each of you a day filled with family, friends, community and much to be thankful for!

Don't forget that there is a free community Thanksgiving at the Alma Country Club from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thanksgiving day.

And... If you remember the Turkey drop, feel free to share!

11/12/2025

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘄𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
A major geomagnetic storm brought the
Aurora Borealis into view last night.
It is predicted that it will occur again tonight. The Aurora should be visible, barring cloud cover.
Did you see the Lights?
Did you see the meteor?
Show us ...

10/26/2025

𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲
The Alma Chamber of Commerce held their Tour of Hidden Rooms October, 24, 2025.

This year's tours were in Orleans. Rooms toured were the Cordelia B. Preston Memorial Library, White's Auto Glass, the former Melrose Café, and the Orleans Hotel - Nebraska.

Learn more about the tour and the buildings in the next edition of The Harlan County Journal.

08/02/2025

Please share!!

07/30/2025

𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬
Harlan County Board of Supervisors accepted the resignation of Sheriff Chris Becker during a meeting held at the Harlan County Courthouse at 9:30 a.m. July 30, 2025.
The Board then appointed Deputy Jesse Langley as Interim Sheriff, effective August 1, 2025. Langley will serve out the remainder of Becker's elected term, which ends December 31, 2026 and plans to run for Sheriff in the 2026 election.
Becker has served on Harlan County Nebraska's Sheriff Department for forty-two years with over thirty-four years as Sheriff. Langley has served in law enforcement for sixteen years, thirteen of which have been in Harlan County.

Congratulations to Becker on his retirement and to Langley on his new position as Sheriff!

Watch for additional information in the Harlan County Journal

07/20/2025

High winds halt activity at the Furnas County Fair - at least temporarily

Update: The severe thunderstorm warning expired at 9:15 p.m. Gusty winds are still possible. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight

According to a post on the "Furnas County Fair & Rodeo" page, Logan Mize will play as soon as rain quits. Probably in about 1 - 1/2 hours. (Posted around 9:10 p.m.) Check their page for updates.

07/18/2025

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗜 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻

Alma, Nebraska American Legion Post #118 along with Long Island, Kansas American Legion Post #304, Nebraska State Commander Judy Walters, and past VFW State Commander Ken Yount honored World War II Veteran, Lynne Halderman, with a medal and certificate in recognition of his military service.
The recognition was held at the Johnson Center in Alma, Nebraska July 18, 2025 as part of Nebraska’s World War II veterans recognition program, which strives to recognize those who served and thank them for protecting freedom.
Halderman, who has been a member of the American Legion for over 70 years, served in the United States Army from May 26, 1946 until he was honorably discharged October 17, 1946.
“To date, 137 medals have been presented at nearly 60 different ceremonies and events across the state. It’s an honor to be able to present this medal to Lynne Halderman to recognize his service and help remind everyone of his story and the sacrifices our Greatest Generation made in protecting freedom. These veterans literally saved the world.” said Alma American Legion Post Commander, Aaron Guthrie. “On behalf of the Alma American Legion Post, please accept these tokens of thanks for your service.”

See more on the ceremony and the recognition of Lynne Halderman in the July 24, 2025 edition of the Harlan County Journal

07/11/2025

Fatal Accident, Highway 183

According to the Harlan County Sheriff's Office, on July 10, 2025 at 2:56 p.m. the Harlan County Sheriff's Office, Alma Fire Department, Orleans Fire Department and Phelps County Sheriff’s Office responded to a head on collision involving a semi and an SUV on Hwy 183 approximately ¼ mile south of 719 Road. The SUV driven by fatality victim Hayley Beason (28) of Holdrege was northbound on Hwy 183 when it crossed the center line and struck a southbound semi.

The semi driver was transported by personal vehicle to Harlan County Health System in Alma and later released. The fatality victim was transported to Phelps Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

It is unknown if restraints were in use. An autopsy has been ordered.

The accident was investigated by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office and Troop D of the Nebraska State Patrol.

07/10/2025

Traffic is currently at a standstill on highway 183 just south of mile marker 17, approximately 10 miles north of Alma. Crews working to clear what appears to be a small SUV and semi accident.
Harlan County Sheriff's Department and Alma Fire and Rescue remain at the scene

No additional information is available.

*updated

Address

Alma, NE

Telephone

+13089282143

Website

https://www.mainstreetnewsgroup.com/harlancountyjournal/

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