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Top StorySpotlight
Eustis to celebrate German heritage with 47th annual Wurst Tag
Ashley Mohler
Nebraska has a rich history of immigration, with residents tracing their ancestry to many different countries, including Germany.
The small town of Eustis takes pride in its German heritage and celebrates it each year with Wurst Tag.
Everyone is invited to attend the two-day event, which is packed with German-themed activities, on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13.
The celebration begins Friday with the Wurst Road Rally. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. at The Darn Small Pub in Eustis.
An after-party will be held at the pub beginning at 7 p.m., with all rally vehicles scheduled to return by dark.
Saturday features a full day of activities. The day begins with an FFA breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Eustis Senior Center. A community lunch will follow at noon in the Big Park. Kids' activities and bounce houses will be available in the park.
Registration for a cornhole tournament begins at noon at the Fair Building. The 4-H Club will host a snow cone fundraiser in the Big Park starting at 12:30 p.m.
The Best of the Wurst sausage competition will begin at 1 p.m. in the Big Park. This year’s competition will focus exclusively on hardtack and sausage sticks.
The Eustis Lions Club will host a Wurst Supper, while the Library Board will hold a Nachtisch (dessert) fundraiser at the Legion Hall from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kinderdancing and the announcement of the Best of the Wurst winner will take place at 5 p.m. The beer tent will also open on Main Street at that time.
Lazy RW Whiskey will offer tastings from 5 to 9 p.m.
The Eustis-Farnam Booster Club will operate a food stand from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and live music will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year’s musical guests include Polka Police, Noah James and William Clark Green. Tickets can be purchased at outhousetickets.com/events/wurst-tag-2026.
Masskrugstemmen, a traditional stein-holding contest, will begin about 7:45 p.m.
Ashley Mohler
Wyatt and Lane Harris, creators of Wild Ass Soap, sold their
soaps in the Cattlemen’s Ball gift shop. Their soap is made out of
beef fat, reducing the waste from the beef industry.
Page A3
Ashley Mohler
Wyatt and Lane Harris, creators of Wild Ass Soap, sold their
soaps in the Cattlemen’s Ball gift shop. Their soap is made out of
beef fat, reducing the waste from the beef industry.
Courtesy Photo
Crossroads Mission Avenue will host an open house at its new
transitional housing facility.at 907 W. Eighth St. in Lexington on
Friday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Page A3
Courtesy Photo
Crossroads Mission Avenue will host an open house at its new
transitional housing facility.at 907 W. Eighth St. in Lexington on
Friday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
News
Top StorySpotlight
Teachers of Tomorrow launches Nebraska program
Jessica Kennedy
Teachers of Tomorrow, one of the nation’s largest teacher preparation programs, announced on June 1, the launch of Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow.
A new state-approved alternative teacher preparation program designed to help more aspiring educators enter the classroom and support school districts across Nebraska with a stronger, more reliable teacher pipeline.
The program is now accepting applications.
Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow offers a flexible, modern preparation pathway built for working adults, career changers, recent graduates, and others who want to pursue a meaningful career in education.
Through online coursework, guided preparation, and a structured route to classroom readiness, candidates can build the knowledge and skills needed to pursue certification while preparing for real-world teaching responsibilities.
“Nebraska needs strong, well-prepared teachers, and expanding access to state-approved preparation is one of the most important ways we can support schools and students,” said Dr. Heath Morrison, CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow and former superintendent. “Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow is designed to help aspiring educators move into the profession through a flexible, accessible pathway while helping districts build the teacher pipeline they need for the future.”
The launch comes at an important time for Nebraska schools.
According to the Nebraska Department of Education’s 2025–26 Teacher Vacancy Survey, 135 districts and systems reported unfilled positions at the beginning of the school year, representing 38.03% of respondents.
Statewide, schools reported nearly 490 positions unfilled with fully qualified personnel, and 111 positions left vacant.
The greatest areas of need included special education, elementary education, career education, science, and mathematics.
Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow is authorized by the Nebraska Department of Education as an alternative teacher preparation program.
The program’s launch gives aspiring teachers in Nebraska a new option to pursue certification through a pathway designed to be accessible, flexible, and aligned to state requirements.
The organization brings two decades of experience in teacher preparation to Nebraska.
Across the country, Teachers of Tomorrow has helped more than 90,000 educators work toward certification through flexible training, expert support, and personalized pathways.
The launch of Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow reflects the organization’s continued commitment to helping states grow and sustain strong educator pipelines.
How Nebraska Teachers of Tomorrow supports aspiring educators:
Flexible online coursework designed to fit busy schedules
Guided preparation for required program milestones and certification steps
A practical pathway that helps candidates prepare for real classroom experience
An opportunity to pursue a purpose-driven career in a state with meaningful educator demand
How the program supports Nebraska school districts:
Expanded access to a new pool of teacher candidates
Support for building long-term, local educator pipelines
A state-approved pathway that can help address hard-to-fill teaching roles
A partner focused on strengthening staffing solutions now and in the years ahead
Three Lexington boys soccer players competed in Foals for Life Soccer Showcase in Omaha
Jessica Kennedy
OMAHA — The annual Goals for Life Soccer Showcase successfully raised $8,655 for youth mental health awareness and suicide prevention while bringing together some of Nebraska's top high school soccer talent for a day of competition, community support, and awareness May 29 in Omaha.
Adan Lima-Miranda, Alexander Barraza and Henry Perez represented Lexington.
More than 100 fans attended the event, which featured separate girls and boys matches involving 62 high school athletes representing more than 25 Nebraska high schools.
Players traveled from communities across the state, including Scottsbluff, demonstrating the growing statewide support for both high school soccer and youth mental health initiatives.
After forecasts called for potentially difficult weather, participants and spectators were treated to beautiful Nebraska spring conditions that provided the perfect setting for the games.
"It was a great set of games played by top high school talent from across Nebraska, all in the name of mental health awareness for young athletes," said Goals for Life founder Doug Fehr.
In addition to enjoying competitive soccer, fans were able to learn more about mental health and suicide prevention through representatives from Hope Squad, who shared information about the importance of peer connection and supporting young people in need.
Goals for Life was created to honor the memory of Joseph Fehr, an accomplished soccer player and student-athlete who died by suicide in 2018.
The event seeks to use the power of sports to bring communities together, promote mental wellness, and encourage conversations that can save lives.
The strong turnout reflects the growing popularity of high school soccer in Nebraska.
Recent state championship matches have drawn thousands of spectators, and Goals for Life provides another opportunity for the state's top players to showcase their talents while supporting a meaningful cause.
The organization extends its sincere appreciation to the Nebraska State Soccer Association, Renaissance Financial, the Omaha Supernovas, Union Omaha, Nebraska Medicine, and all coaches, volunteers, families, and community members whose support helped make the event a success.
Plans are already underway for next year's Goals for Life Soccer Showcase as organizers continue their mission of supporting youth mental health while celebrating the positive impact athletics can have on young people's lives.
For more information about Goals for Life, to support the mission, or to learn about future events, visit joefehr.com.
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