The Holt County Independent

The Holt County Independent We are Holt County's oldest news source and O'Neill's oldest business covering county wide stories, events and sports. Hometown news from hometown folks.

The Holt County Independent was established in May 1892 with G.W. Lessenger and Judd Wood as editors and publishers. It was consolidated under the name of the "Beacon Light and Holt County Independent" on Feb. 1,1895. It was edited by Ham Kautzman until June 18, 1897 when it became the Holt County Independent under editorship of O.F. Biglin until Sept. 24, 1897. From then until March 24,1899 C.C.

McHugh was editor and publisher. Edwin S. Eves edited and published the paper from that time until he sold to George A. Miles of Ainsworth in January 1904. Eves had also published the Amelia Journal, Atkinson Graphic, Atkinson Plain Dealer, Ewing Advocate and Holt County Democrat. The fusion of the democrats and the populists took place in Holt County about this time and the Independent under Miles reflected this. Miles adhered to the principle of the populist and democratic parties but refused to be under obligation to anyone, upholding the good and condemning the bad wherever he saw it. The Independent continues in the Miles family today.

OHS Kicks Off Basketball Against Valentine On Road
12/10/2025

OHS Kicks Off Basketball Against Valentine On Road

Basketball season is underway at OHS. The Eagles traveled to Valentine last Thursday, Dec. 4 to get the season started.

Eagles Fall In First Match To Valentine 65-43
12/10/2025

Eagles Fall In First Match To Valentine 65-43

The Eagle boys took to the court at 7:30 p.m. the same day as the girls. Unfortunately, they weren't able to find the same success as the previous team.

Cards Start 2-0 On The Road
12/10/2025

Cards Start 2-0 On The Road

Winter sports have begun, and the St. Mary's basketball boys clearly put in the work leading up to the season.

Lady Cards Start 0-2 On Season
12/10/2025

Lady Cards Start 0-2 On Season

The time for Basketball season is here and the St. Mary's Cardinals wasted no time, squaring off against two schools already. The Girls traveled to Crofton and Nebraska Christian to get the games started.

Chamber Announces Parade Winners
12/10/2025

Chamber Announces Parade Winners

The O'Neill Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2025 Lighted Parade Winners from the Hometown Christmas Celebration held last Friday, Dec. 5.

Council Votes To Not Allow Change Of Shamrock Color For Other Events
12/10/2025

Council Votes To Not Allow Change Of Shamrock Color For Other Events

The O'Neill City Council met on Monday evening for the regular December meeting. All council members were present.

Address

117 N 4th Street
O'Neill, NE
68763

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(402) 336-1220

Website

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Our Story

Current Publisher Terry Miles became the sole owner June 6, 2018 of the oldest continuous business in O'Neill — The Frontier and Holt County Independent.

The Holt County Independent was first published in 1888 in O'Neill making it 130 years old. In 1965 the only two remaining newspapers in O'Neill —The Frontier and Holt County Independent — merged.

The first Miles to own the newspaper was George A. Miles of Ainsworth. He purchased it in January 1904. George ran the newspaper until his death in 1937. His sons Gerald and Fay Miles took control of the paper and ran the newspaper until Fay's death in 1956.