An accident involving an entire Oakdale family has left a 3-year-old boy critical and his father in serious condition.
According to Antelope County Sheriff, Bob Moore, five people in the car were transported from the scene of a two-vehicle accident south of the Oakdale Cemetery on Wednesday morning that involved a car and a sanitation truck. One occupant of the car was in critical condition, two had serious injuries, one had minor injuries and one had no injuries, according to Moore According to family members, a 3-year-old boy suffered a severe brain injury in the accident. His father, Justin Paulsen, also was transported following the accident with several broken bones, including severe pelvic injury. Both the child and his father are being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Justin Paulsen was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix northbound when it collided head-on with a southbound sanitation truck on 527th Ave. at about 11:10 a.m. Also in the Paulsen vehicle were Katy Griffith, the child's mother, and their two other children. According to Moore, icy road conditions contributed to the accident. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to assist the family with medical expenses. There has been an account set up at the Pinnacle Bank in Neligh and The Village of Oakdale and the Stix Bar are taking donations as well. The driver of the sanitation truck was taken to Antelope Memorial Hospital by his employer and was treated and released. There were multiple injuries from a two-vehicle accident south of Oakdale on Wednesday morning.
A car and roll-off carrier truck were involved in an accident around 11:20 a.m. one mile south of Oakdale, just south of the Oakdale Cemetery. Responding to the accident were the Oakdale Fire Department, Neligh-Oakdale Jaws of Life, Antelope County Sheriff's Department, Neligh Fire Department, Neligh Rescue, Midwest Medical Transport and Neligh Police Department. No other information is available at this time. Concerned Oakdale citizens flocked to last night's Village Board meeting in an attempt to save the Lois Johnson Memorial Library.
However, as they discovered at the meeting, it wasn't in need in saving, just restructuring. Library Board Chairman Bev Alderson addressed the Village Board with a letter, explaining the cultural and educational importance of the library. She said that although the need to provide study help has changed, the need is far greater than it used to be. "There are children in this community who rely on the internet services at the library to complete their school work assignments," Alderson said. "There are homes here without internet usage available." Alderson addressed each trustee individually, saying that she trusted their good judgement and believed they would do the right thing. Audience members applauded Alderson's speech. Trustee Wanda Cornett said she believed the library should remain open, but the hours of service could be looked at. Chairman Dwayne Fulsaas then addressed the audience saying that it was never the intention of the board to close the library, but simply to restructure it. He said that the main problem has been disagreement among members of the library board. "The board needs to get along," Fulsaas said. "I think we need to restructure it. I think we need some younger folks in there to be on committees." There was also discussion about how the library should properly be used. "We need to remember to keep the idea of what a library is for," Cornett said. "It's not a coffee shop." A special meeting of the Village Board and Library Board was scheduled to try and work through some of the issues. It will be held January 18 at 7 p.m. at the Village Office. The Friends of the Oakdale Library are hosting a spool design quilt raffle.
Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The drawing for the quilt will be on December 20. The quilt was donated by Darlene Carson. The Oakdale United Methodist Church will be holding a Holiday Goodies Parade on Saturday Dec. 19
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Oakdale Community Center. You can arrange a plate of 15 items for $6 or buy individual items. These make great holiday gifts. Also, you can enjoy a free cup of coffee or cider. The Oakdale Community Meal has become something of a monthly tradition in the small town.
Naomi Herfel has put on the meal for nealy a year now after taking over the event. She cooks the main course herself, and has one volunteer to help with the serving and washing dishes. Residents can get a full meal for $3, but if they bring a dish, they eat for $1. Herfel said that when she took over there were only about 10 people that attended the meal, but she is currently nearing 60 people. The meal was originally intended for senior citizens, but now it has become a community-wide event. According to Herfel, she gets people from Neligh, Tilden and even Meadow Grove that attend. The meal is held at the Oakdale Community Center on the third Wednesday of every month and will be held on December 16. Coffee and donuts are served in the morning and this month's meal will be turkey and pot roast. A 14-year-old from Oakdale missing since Wednesday has been located, according to the Antelope County Sheriff's Department.
Officials said Chayton Faulkner was located at about 5:30 p.m. and is safe. He reportedly returned home this evening. Faulkner, an eighth-grader at Neligh-Oakdale, was last seen leaving school at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and a missing person’s bulletin was filed later that night, according to Sheriff Bob Moore. Earlier Saturday, Moore said foul play was not suspected in his disappearance and he was considered a runaway. No other information is available at this time. Foul play is not suspected as the investigation continues into the disappearance of a 14-year-old boy from Oakdale.
Chayton Faulkner, an eighth-grader at Neligh-Oakdale, was last seen leaving school at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and missing person’s bulletin was filed later that night, according to Sheriff Bob Moore. “The investigation continues, and we’ve pretty much ruled out foul play,” Moore said. “We are considering him a runaway.” Moore said Saturday that he’s had several reports of Faulkner using social media to contact friends, but none of that has led to the indication of his location at this time. Moore is asking that anyone, especially Faulkner’s friends, contact him at 402-887-4148 with any information regarding his location. Faulkner is 5-foot-7, 145 pounds and has black hair. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with multicolor short sleeves, grey sweatpants and white Air Walk shoes. The Antelope County Sheriff is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing juvenile from Oakdale.
A missing person’s bulletin was filed last night for 14-year-old Chayton Faulkner, according to Sheriff Bob Moore. He said Faulkner was last seen at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Neligh-Oakdale Public School, where he is in the eighth grade. Faulkner is 5-foot-7, 145 pounds and has black hair. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with multicolor short sleeves, grey sweatpants and white Air Walk shoes. Anyone with information in regard to his possible location is asked to contact the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department at 402-887-4148. Multiple accidents have been reported in the area Friday afternoon.
The Nebraska State Patrol has confirmed several accidents and is advising motorists to use caution while driving on the roads. |
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