Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 225
Neil R. Nemec, 70, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week for sentencing on two charges, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, .08, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor and Count II, careless driving, an infraction. On Count I, Burdick ordered a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license for 60 days. He was fined $100 on Count II and taxed $105 costs of prosecution and $210 probation-related fees. Nemec pleaded guilty Feb. 14, pursuant to a plea agr...
Guests at northeast Nebraska state park areas were treated to some improvements in 2022, with more set to be completed in 2023. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects: Summit Lake State Recreation Area Summit Lake State Recreation Area near Tekamah saw aquatic habitat and angler access improvement projects completed to improve the fishery and guests' experience. The west and south sediment basins were excavated to restore them to their original capacity and prevent...
New visitation rules will be in place this spring at Grove Trout Rearing Station, near Royal, for the safety of the trout being raised there. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is balancing its obligation to raise quality, healthy trout with its commitment to education and visitation at the popular facility. Although most visitors have followed the facility’s rules, some have not, causing stress to fish that compromises their health and increases mortality. Treating the trout has led to an increased cost of production. Repairs also had t...
Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion on fisheries management during meetings March 20 to 23. These four regional public informational sessions – one for each Game and Parks district – will provide local updates on the fishing outlook and special projects in respective areas. The informal, interactive gatherings will provide a chance for questions, dialogue and feedback. The virtual meetings will take place on Zoom, a free app that can be downloaded to a web browser or mobile device. Participants will be enc...
The illegal harvest and disposal of the carcass of a whitetail doe in January cost a Louisiana man more than $1,000. Cole Branden Thomas, 26, of West Monroe pleaded guilty, by waiver, to several counts related to shooting the deer without a permit and without the permission of a Holt County landowner. He was fined $150 and assessed $500 liquidated damages for taking the deer without a permit; fined $50 for no 2023 habitat stamp; fined $200 for killing the deer without permission from the landowner; $100 for failure to check a harvested deer...
Jake R. Short, 22, of Meadow Grove appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County court in Neligh on Jan. 18, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, to be sentenced for second-degree forgery, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed nearly one year ago. Taylor fined Short $200 and assessed $50 costs. Restitution of $433.73 had been paid and a second forgery count was dismissed by deputy Antelope County attorney, Joe Smith, as agreed to by the late county attorney, Joe Abler, in an October 2022 plea agreement....
Helping law enforcement eliminate poaching in Nebraska just got a little easier, thanks to a new program by Nebraska Game and Parks. The new online reporting tool allows people to anonymously report suspected wildlife violations through a form at OutdoorNebraska.gov/WildlifeCrimestoppers. People can submit photos and even indicate if they are interested in a reward if charges are filed because of the tip. Once submitted, the report goes directly to the conservation officer in the county where the incident is suspected. “With this form, w...
Jericho D. Neal, 24, of Atkinson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Jan. 10 to be sentenced for several crimes committed last spring - including Count II, a Class 1 misdemeanor, procuring alcohol to a minor; three Class 3 misdemeanors, Count IV, possession/discharge illegal fireworks, Count V, shooting highway signs, Count VI, shooting wildlife from highway; and Count VII, an infraction, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Burdick sentenced Neal to a 12-month term of probation, including $...
Brock Belik and Justin Brandt, of Orchard, caught 12.75 pounds of fish during Sunday's Royal Ice Fishing Tournament at Grove Lake, sponsored by the Royal Volunteer Fire Department. The poundage was enough to tip the scales in the duo's favor. The second-place team, Corey Curtis and Max Hieter, of Royal, caught 12.09 pounds. Derek Price and Rod Jonson, of Pierce, finished third, with 11.83 pounds. Spencer Strope, of Orchard, and Tanner Hart, of Clearwater, caught 11.74 pounds, finishing in...
Aaron C. Poellot, 39, of Osmond was sentenced in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Dec. 28, for the May 2 theft of gasoline from a Royal convenience store. Poellot appeared, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, before the Honorable Donna Taylor on Wednesday for pretrial hearing on a charge of theft by unlawful taking. Madison County attorney Joe Smith served as prosecutor. A plea agreement was announced, which included Poellot changing his plea to guilty and agreeing to pay restitution, in return for...
Dustin G. Carman, 29, of Neligh faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Dec. 20, for a change of plea hearing and sentencing on a Class W misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense. Carman’s attorney, John Green of Omaha appeared telephonically. Burdick sentenced Carman to a $500 fine, seven days in the Holt County Jail, suspended until Dec. 24, with credit for one day previously served, and revoked his driver’s license for six months. He was taxed $105 costs of prose...
Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice-fishing. Follow these tips from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for safety on the ice: The minimum ice thickness for supporting one person is at least four inches of clear, solid ice. Drill holes or use an ice chisel or spud bar to check the ice conditions while working the way out to a fishing spot. Wear a life jacket. Avoid falls by wearing ice cleats on boots to maintain traction. Layer clothing, beginning with a synthetic la... Full story
The Honorable Kale Burdick sentenced four individuals when he presided from the Holt Count court bench in O’Neill on Dec. 6, three of them for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kalah M. Bergmann, 38, of Gretna was sentenced to a $500 fine, 10 days in the county jail, an 18-month term of probation and her driver’s license was revoked for 18 months for DUI (.08), second offense, a Class W misdemeanor. The jail time is deferred until Dec. 27 and she was given credit for one day previously served. Bergmann was taxed $115 costs of prosecution...
Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency executive director, John Berge, recently announced the opening of applications for a special Conservation Reserve Program initiative designed to increase habitat for upland wildlife. The Upland Wildlife State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement CRP aims to create more acres for wildlife such as greater prairie chickens, northern bobwhite, plains sharp-tailed grouse, ring-neck pheasants, songbirds and pollinators. It also is designed to improve water quality and soil health and reduce soil erosion and sequester...
Simon M. Beacom, 20, of Omaha, was scheduled for a bench trial Dec. 7, on two Class 3 misdemeanor counts alleged June 24 – Count I, minor in possession of alcohol (age 19/20) and Count II, misrepresenting his age to obtain liquor, as well as a count of violating probation that was ordered for his conviction of similar offenses last spring. A plea deal was announced. Beacom withdrew his not guilty pleas and pleaded guilty to Count I, in return for the prosecutor dismissing Count II in the current case. Beacom also admitted the probation v...
The Honorable Kale Burdick handed down several sentences during recent Holt County court sessions held at the Holt County courthouse in O'Neill. Tyler C. Bain, 40, of Newport was sentenced to concurrent jail sentences in two cases Nov. 15. He was sentenced to 365 days in the Holt County jail for a Class 1 misdemeanor committed April 1, third-degree domestic assault. Credit was given for 17 days previously served. Bain pleaded no contest Sept. 20, pursuant to a plea bargain. In return, Holt...
The Honorable Donna Taylor ordered probation for an Oakdale man, revoked probation for another and continued sentencing for a third, when she presided from the bench of the Antelope County court in Neligh last week. Matthew J. Wright, 48, of Oakdale appeared in front of Taylor on Nov. 16 for sentencing on two Class 1 misdemeanor counts of first-degree assault committed July 2 in Oakdale. Antelope County attorney Joe Abler asked Taylor to follow recommendations in a presentence investigation report made by the Nebraska probation office -...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and its partners have received a $4 million grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to restore grassland and wetland habitat for at-risk species. A four-year conservation project will take place in the Sandhills and adjacent areas, where wetlands and streams face alteration and channelization. Grasslands also are being encroached by eastern redcedar, which can reduce the available forage for livestock, increase wildfire risk, reduce stream flow, and degrade wildlife habitat. The goals are t...
A spark. That’s all it takes to ignite a wildfire. With the pheasant and rifle deer season openers rapidly approaching, hunters are reminded to act responsibly in the field and to do their part in the prevention of wildfires. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln drought monitor, 80% of the state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. These prolonged conditions have increased the risk of wildfires across much of the state, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to take the following precautions: R...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Nov. 7 to Dec. 14, for the 2023 hunting season. Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may have one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex. The 2023 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge Unit will be Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Before Feb. 28, the season will close immediately if either the annual harvest limit of four mountain lions or sublimit of two female mountain lions is reached. If the harvest...
Dillon E. Perry, 34, of Ewing, who was in custody in Madison County Jail on other charges, appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh for arraignment on a count of driving under suspension, alleged May 28, in Clearwater. Perry waived his right to counsel and entered a guilty plea. The Honorable Donna Taylor fined him $100 and assessed $52 costs. Perry had been granted a continuance July 6 when he called saying he had no ride to the courthouse. Then, on Aug. 3 he failed to appear in court and a warrant was subsequently issued for his...
A combination firearm and bowhunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard, Oct. 17, 20 and 22. Class will meet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 20 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22. The free course will be held at the community room behind the Orchard fire hall. The course will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification and conservation management. Students must...
Hunters will have a chance to pursue deer at three state park areas along the lower Platte River this fall and winter. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks and Schramm Park State Recreation Area. Successful applicants will be issued special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates, using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an...
Rainbow trout will be stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to enhance fishing oppportunities this fall and winter. "This program emphasizes the urban and community waters statewide," said Greg Anderson, Game and Parks' fish production supervisor. "Ten-inch trout are stocked to provide angling opportunities for all ages to catch and harvest." The stocking of trout began Monday. During the weeks of Oct. 3, 10 and 17, 200 trout will be added, weekly, to the east branch of Verdigre...
After a week off, the Husker football team returns to action at Memorial Stadium and Nebraska state troopers will be on patrol to keep the action off the roadways as fans travel to the game. The Nebraska State Patrol works closely with partner agencies on several aspects of gameday operations. Troopers partner with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, UNL Police Department and the Nebraska Department of Transportation to keep fans safe as they travel to and from the...
