Big big changes underway at Lincoln Daily News

 

[October 01, 2022] 

After 23 years of publishing, Lincoln Daily News has changed ownership. As of today, Saturday, Oct 1, 2022, Jim and Jan Youngquist are proud to announce that longtime directors Karen Hargis and Nila Smith are the new owners and operators of Lincoln Daily News.

Hargis began at LDN as Advertising Director in 2006 and has 16 years experience with the paper and the local community. Prior to joining Lincoln Daily News she worked in the advertising departments at various other local newspapers for a total of 25 years. Smith joined Lincoln Daily News in 2008 and took on the role of News Director in 2012. The two bring to Lincoln Daily News nearly 40 years of combined experience in the news industry and with the local community.

Smith and Hargis will share ownership equally.

Hargis and Smith's extensive knowledge and experience of LDN operations and our community will make the ownership transition smooth. Their passion and love for our community is unsurpassed, allowing the Youngquists to enter retirement with confidence that LDN will continue to serve our community as intended.

The Youngquists founded LDN 23 years ago along with Sam Redding, Tom Seggelke and Ryan Seggelke. LDN was conceived to provide accurate and responsible reporting on local events, issues and hard news. The intent was to resist putting a negative spin on stories about Logan County businesses, citizens and government, and instead promote a positive and proud outlook of our communities.
 

Jim said, “When we started LDN, the internet was still very new. We were one of the first online news sources in the country that didn't start out as a print publication. The number of citizens who had access to the internet and to devices that could access an online newspaper were few, and the county businesses were reluctant to advertise on this newfangled technology. Over the years many people from near and far have partnered with LDN in many ways to help us survive and grow.

“We want to honor all the writers and contributors who became part of the LDN community. Among those who were part of this monumental 23 year effort: Mary Krallmann, Jeff Mayfield, Greg Taylor, Teena Lowery, Lynn Spellman, Fuzz Werth, Tom Seggelke, Ryan Seggelke, Sam Redding, Joan Crabb, Jeff Benjamin, Ben Yount, Loyd Kirby, Angela Reiners, Derek Hurley, Lisa Ramlow, Curt Fox, Lisa Whitson, Dee Vandeventer, Nila Smith, Roy Logan, Karen Hargis, Curt Schleich, Chris Graue, Seth Goodman, Lloyd Evans, Richard Sumrall, several private donors and encouragers during our earliest years un-named for privacy but their kindness is not forgotten, and many many others. The Youngquists deeply appreciate all who helped create and support LDN. It has been such an honor to work with and beside you all.

“We are very excited about the opportunity we have to carry Lincoln Daily News into the future,” says Hargis. “This is an industry that Nila and I both love and a community that we care for deeply.”

Smith adds, “We have great respect for Jim and Jan Youngquist and the hard work it has taken them to build a reputable news publication for Lincoln and Logan County.”

Hargis and Smith say that as far as the readers are concerned, there will be little difference in the daily editions. They coin the phrase “If something isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” What the Youngquists have built is what the community wants and needs and Hargis and Smith hope to keep the same standards in their daily editions.

“We also have good staff that are going through this with us and we are excited to have them on board. We deeply appreciate the graphics staff, Devyn Fry and Jeff Wyles and the stringers, Angela Reiners, Derek Hurley, Teena Lowery, Lisa Ramlow and Loyd Kirby that Jan and Jim have worked so hard to bring together as a cohesive unit and look forward to maintaining those good relationships into the future,” said Hargis and Smith.

Though most things will stay the same, what will be changing soon is the office address for Lincoln Daily News. We are excited to announce that by mid-October the LDN offices will be located at 520 Broadway Street in the heart of Lincoln.

“We are all excited to see LDN move into the downtown area. Our downtown is a vital part of who we are as a community and to now be a part of that synergy is a dream realized,” says Hargis.

Once the move is complete, LDN will host a ribbon cutting and open house. Details about that event will be shared at a later date.

All of us at Lincoln Daily News are excited and looking forward to seeing LDN continue to serve our Logan County community long into the future.

A special note from Jim and Jan Youngquist –

“We are grateful for and to the people of Logan County for trusting and allowing us to collect and publish your matters of importance, news and events. The experiences have been incalculable, challenging and unforgettable, and given us a cache of great memories.

“Most of all, we appreciate the wonderful people we might otherwise not have gotten to know. There is a multitude of good hearts here supporting this community day-in and day-out, year after year.

“We have seen that the true wealth in Logan County is in its hard working, down to earth, real people, who live consciously caring for our land and others, try to do good and are quick to lend a hand when and where needed.

"Thanks so much to everyone. It has indeed been an awesome experience and privilege to serve you our community!

“Above all we praise God. It is to His glory and by His grace and in Him who gives our very breath, that we exist. In Him and by His guidance the work of LDN was begun.”

[LDN]