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.

There will be no public display of fireworks for the City of O'Neill this year. This year's event came into question a f...
06/18/2025

There will be no public display of fireworks for the City of O'Neill this year. This year's event came into question a few months ago when the O'Neill Men's Club announced that their license holder for buying and shooting off the pyrotechnic display would no longer be able to participate in the event. The purchasing, storing, and use of those sizes of fireworks require a permit holder to be on-site during the display. The permitting process is not difficult and can be obtained through the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office. The permit must be in hand when purchasing, which is done in early spring. The Men's Club regrets not being able to continue the display but would be willing to help any new group wishing to do the fireworks with some of the equipment used in the shooting off of the fireworks. The cost of the fireworks was covered by donations solicited by the O'Neill Men's Club as well as the City of O'Neill kicking in a yearly donation. The O'Neill Fire Department assisted in the safety of the event by helping the Men's Club with personnel and equipment in the event of a mishap.

06/11/2025

Accident Claims Life of Neligh Man

On June 10, a Po***ck Redi Mix truck driven by Caleb McGargill of Neligh, was involved in a fatal single-vehicle accident south of Ewing.

The truck was traveling westbound on 852 Road, near the intersection of 505 Avenue, when it left the roadway, initially entering the right shoulder. The driver then overcorrected, causing the vehicle to veer across the road and off the left shoulder. The truck continued into the ditch and overturned.

Caleb McGargill was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of the accident.

The accident was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Holt County Sheriff’s Office and Ewing Fire and Rescue.

City Council Discuss Swimming Pool Boiler
06/11/2025

City Council Discuss Swimming Pool Boiler

The O'Neill City Council met on Monday evening with all members present except Councilman Tim Gleason.

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O'Neill, NE

Opening Hours

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

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(402) 336-1220

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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.