EDITORS NOTE: As Cozad joins communities across the nation in commemorating America's 250th anniversary, it's easy to remember the Revolution's most famous moments—the Declaration of Independence, Washington crossing the Delaware, or the "shot heard 'round the world." But America's fight for independence was much more than a handful of historic events.

A jagged, raspy shriek tore through the morning fog, shattering the silence of 4:30 a.m., long before dawn. You sit on your straw mattress. You clasp your hands together and pray to a god you're not sure you believe in. You lie there until light filters through the windows covered with oil paper, since your family can’t afford glass. It could have been twenty minutes or four hours; there was no way to tell in that vacuum of a room.

Just two days prior to July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted in favor to declare independence for a budding set of colonies that had been deprived of choice for generations. 
With the American Revolution starting on April 19, 1775, the American people were not one to back down from a fight or from a pen– “Hold[ing] these truths to be self-evident”. 

Community members consistently filled South Central Developmental Services in Cozad on Sunday, June 28, for a fundraiser benefiting the Cozad Volunteer Fire Department. 
Event organizer Alicia Thompson receives support from South Central, and that support extends far beyond daily services. Many employees and service recipients volunteered their time alongside dozens of local businesses to ensure the fundraiser ran smoothly. 

The Cozad Community Leaders brought plenty of laughs and friendly competition to downtown Cozad on June 27 with their annual Minute to Win It Bar Crawl fundraiser. 

The Cozad City Council agenda included several important items of new business in addition to a report from Interim City Administrator Mike Morgan during its regular meeting on June 22.

The June school board agenda was packed with discussion regarding future planning for the district, policy approvals, and facility improvements. 
The month’s Haymaker Highlight featured a recap of the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting. The event focused on agriculture and cattle-related topics and drew more than 300 attendees on June 11.  

The 2026 Pony Express Re-Ride made its way through central Nebraska on June 17, carrying mail east to west across the state as riders retraced the legendary route of the original Pony Express. 

Few people realize the scope of the position of chamber director. By the nature of the job, there are not many people, including the Chamber Board, who truly understand or have any part in the day-to-day activities of a chamber director.

June is recognized as Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to encourage conversations about emotional well-being and to recognize the challenges many men face when dealing with mental health concerns. 
While awareness is important, many people often ask a simple question, "How can I help?" 

In less than 40 minutes on June 1, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners cleared the way for new agricultural expansion, improved wireless coverage and continued investment in local tourism before hitting pause on a broader debate over future land-use regulations.

Rain couldn't wash away the fun at the MESStival. The Wilson Public Library welcomed families to its second annual MESStival on Saturday, June 20, proving that a gloomy forecast and chilly conditions couldn’t stop the fun to be had.

The Haymaker Summer Theatre Program began rehearsals June 8 for its second annual production, Shrek the Musical Kids. Directed by Cozad Community Schools staff members Senja Stephens, Kyle Vincent, and Mercedez Guerra, the program is designed for students in grades 5-8.