Bridgeport News-Blade

08/28/2026

NU Board of Regents to hold a special meeting Sept. 1

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will hold a special meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the board room at Varner Hall, 3835 Holdrege St., in Lincoln. The meeting is open to the public and will be livestreamed at www.nebraska.edu.

A detailed agenda for the meeting is available at https://nebraska.edu/regents/agendas-minutes/

During the meeting, the board will consider transaction negotiation matters concerning the Omaha Community Foundation and Nebraska Medicine governance.

08/23/2026

Renewal at current prices is extended to September 30

08/22/2026

08/08/2026

We ran into problems printing this week's issue of the News-Blade. A part was supposed to arrive today, and we are chasing it down with FedEx. Right now, it looks like the print edition may not be ready for mailing until Monday.

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As a print subscriber, you may request free access to the e-Edition. Visit the website at newsblade.com and click on Subscribe, then register for the digital version. This will give you immediate access for seven days while we process adding the digital version to your subscription

08/06/2026

Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for August, September

by Legal Aid of Nebraska

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in August and September. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates

August:

• Monday, Aug. 10 — Sidney
• Tuesday, Aug. 11 — Alliance
• Tuesday, Aug. 11 — Ogallala
• Wednesday, Aug. 12 — Scottsbluff
• Tuesday, Aug. 25 — Norfolk

September:

• Tuesday, Sept. 1 — Fairbury
• Tuesday, Sept. 15 — Broken Bow
• Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.

08/01/2026

Morrill County Sheriff’s Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Motorcycle Fatality Investigation – Highway 92

On July 31st, 2026, at approximately 8:41 p.m., deputies with the Morrill County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported injury motorcycle crash on Highway 92 near mile marker 43, just west of the South Bayard Junction.

Deputies, along with the Bayard Volunteer Fire Department, arrived on scene and began providing life-saving measures to the operator of the motorcycle. Despite their efforts, Daniel F. Waechter, a resident of Bayard, Nebraska, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation determined that Daniel F. Waechter was traveling eastbound on Highway 92 when he struck a deer that had entered the roadway. The collision caused him to lose control of the motorcycle, resulting in the crash.

The Morrill County Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Daniel F. Waechter during this difficult time and asks that the community keep them in their thoughts.

The Morrill County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Bayard Volunteer Fire Department and the Nebraska State Patrol for their assistance.

This incident remains under investigation by the Morrill County Sheriff's Office.

07/31/2026

Nebraskans are Asked to Lower Flags Saturday for Firefighter Nathan Matthews

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, in recognition of the service and sacrifice by firefighter Nathan Matthews. Matthews died last week from injuries he sustained while battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border in late June.

Originally from Lincoln, Matthews was serving with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service as part of the Rifle Helitack crew battling the Knowles fire. Matthews and another firefighter were injured in that incident and hospitalized. Three other members died at the scene.

Matthews will be co-honored by Nebraska and Colorado. Governor Jared Polis will order that flags be lowered in Colorado on Friday. A motorcade escorting Matthews remains will depart at 7:30 a.m. (MT) tomorrow from Denver to Grand Junction along I-70.

Here in Nebraska, flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, the day of Matthews’ memorial. The event, organized through the Upper Colorado River Interagency Management Unit, is open to the public. It will begin at 10 a.m. (MT) at the Avalon Theatre in Grand Junction.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

07/30/2026

Brock Porter Burry, 20

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Brock Porter Burry, who left this world far too soon at the age of 20. Brock Burry of Bayard, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026. His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, at the Bayard High School Auditorium, in Bayard, Nebraska, with Pastor Bill Ferrero officiating. Burial will follow at the Bayard Cemetery. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the family, and will be designated towards a scholarship in Brock’s memory for Vo-tech students. The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Brock’s obituary page, viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

A recent graduate of Northeast Community College Utility Lineman Program, Brock was excited to begin the next chapter of his life. He looked forward to a career built on hard work, determination, and serving others. His future was bright, and he embraced it with quiet confidence and a willing heart.

Growing up wrestling, Brock learned the value of discipline, perseverance, and resilience - qualities that remained with him throughout his life. But more than any accomplishment, he will be remembered for the person he was: a genuinely kind, humble, and compassionate young man whose gentle spirit touched everyone he met.

He found joy in life’s simple moments. He loved spending time fishing, enjoying the challenge of a good game of chess, and entertaining his family and friends with magic tricks. Brock also had a deep love of music and looked forward to attending concerts, creating memories with family and friends through the artists and songs he loved. Whether outdoors, around family, or online with those he cared about, Brock had a way of making people feel loved and appreciated. His willingness to help anyone and his outstanding work ethic were evident in everything he did. He never hesitated to lend a hand whenever someone needed it.

Survivors include his loving parents, Brent and Kimberly Burry; his brother, Bryce Burry (Grace Elvehjem); his sister, Grace Burry; his bonus brother/cousin Kolby Houchin; his grandfather, Donald Burry; and his grandmother, Jeanne Houchin. He also leaves behind many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish the time they shared with him.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Dorothy Burry; and his paternal grandfather, Hugh Houchin.

Though his life lasted only twenty years, the love, kindness, and light he gave to others will endure far beyond his time on earth. His sweet soul, quiet strength, and caring heart leave a legacy that will never be forgotten.