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A small-town Nebraska nursing home closed. Its former director faces disciplinary action by the state.

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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A small-town Nebraska nursing home closed. Its former director faces disciplinary action by the state.

COPYRIGHT RESTRICTED FFP—Laurel Nursing Home

The Laurel water tower can be seen behind the shuttered Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living campus in Laurel. Former employees largely blame the closure of the city-owned center on its former administrator.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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Shelby Rickert Flatwater Free Press

The view down U.S. 20, which runs through Laurel, a northeast Nebraska city of fewer than 1,000 people. In March, the City Council voted to shutter the Hillcrest Care Center, the city-owned nursing home. City leaders said longstanding financial struggles and mass resignations by staff members contributed to the decision.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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The Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living facility in Laurel ended its operations in May. The facility faced significant financial pressures due to operational costs and a declining patient census.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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Former staff at Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living in Laurel blame leadership at City Hall (pictured) for a lack of oversight leading up to the city’s decision to close the struggling center. The city’s mayor said Laurel leaders worked hard to keep the center afloat but ultimately had to make the difficult decision to close Hillcrest.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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A mural in downtown Laurel celebrates the northeast Nebraska community’s 1993 centennial.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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Employees at Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living, a 36-bed nursing home in Laurel, started publicly raising concerns about the center’s management in 2024. They posted flyers saying it was in danger of closing and eventually circulated a petition requesting the removal of Hillcrest’s administrator. City leaders rebuffed the employees, many of whom resigned.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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The Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living facility in Laurel was founded in 1978. Its final remaining residents moved out in April after the City Council voted in March to close the center.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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The Laurel water tower can be seen behind the shuttered Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living campus in Laurel. Former employees largely blame the closure of the city-owned center on its former administrator.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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Security Bank in Laurel extended three lines of credit to the City of Laurel to help keep Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living open. Laurel Mayor Keith Knudsen is the bank’s president.

Jerry L. Mennenga, for the Flatwater Free Press

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The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

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COPYRIGHT RESTRICTED FFP—Laurel Nursing Home

The Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living facility in Laurel ended its operations in May. The facility faced significant financial pressures due to operational costs and a declining patient census.

Employees at Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living, a 36-bed nursing home in Laurel, started publicly raising concerns about the center’s management in 2024. They posted flyers saying it was in danger of closing and eventually circulated a petition requesting the removal of Hillcrest’s administrator. City leaders rebuffed the employees, many of whom resigned.

Former staff at Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living in Laurel blame leadership at City Hall (pictured) for a lack of oversight leading up to the city’s decision to close the struggling center. The city’s mayor said Laurel leaders worked hard to keep the center afloat but ultimately had to make the difficult decision to close Hillcrest.

The view down U.S. 20, which runs through Laurel, a northeast Nebraska city of fewer than 1,000 people. In March, the City Council voted to shutter the Hillcrest Care Center, the city-owned nursing home. City leaders said longstanding financial struggles and mass resignations by staff members contributed to the decision.

The Laurel water tower can be seen behind the shuttered Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living campus in Laurel. Former employees largely blame the closure of the city-owned center on its former administrator.

A mural in downtown Laurel celebrates the northeast Nebraska community’s 1993 centennial.

The Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living facility in Laurel was founded in 1978. Its final remaining residents moved out in April after the City Council voted in March to close the center.

The Laurel water tower can be seen behind the shuttered Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living campus in Laurel. Former employees largely blame the closure of the city-owned center on its former administrator.

Security Bank in Laurel extended three lines of credit to the City of Laurel to help keep Hillcrest Care Center and Assisted Living open. Laurel Mayor Keith Knudsen is the bank’s president.

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