Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 225
Ramey Vachal, Hanna Christensen, Chin Tung Tan Nebraska News Service State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks announces run for Congress State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of District 28 announced her bid for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. Brooks cannot run for her state senate seat in 2022 due to term limits. The incumbent of the first district is Congressman Jeff Fortenberry. Fortenberry is under indictment for allegedly lying to the FBI and has not said if he will run again in 2022. Three snow leopards die at Lincoln Children’s Zoo due to COV...
Hunters taking to the field for the November firearm deer season will have bagging a deer on their minds. Safety should be uppermost on their minds. Deer hunters always should heed the following tips from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission during the season: • Keep the rifle’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction, with the safety on, and finger off the trigger until ready to fire. • Properly identify the target and what lies beyond it before pulling the trigger and never shoot at sounds or movement. • Wear blaze orange. All deer hunters...
With nearly one million acres of publicly accessible lands, including more than 325,000 acres of prime habitat within the pheasant range, Nebraska is a destination spot for pheasant season, which begins Saturday, Oct. 31 and continues through Jan. 31. According to Nebraska Game and Parks, pheasants have a statewide distribution, but certain areas of the state offer more suitable habitat and high pheasant densities. Best hunting opportunities include 10 counties in the state’s panhandle and a swatch of counties, beginning on the N...
The Oct. 23 and 24 statewide youth pheasant, quail and partridge season, for hunters ages 15 and younger, provides an opportunity to mentor new hunters. “Each fall, the youth season provides a great opportunity to get young family members and friends out hunting in a more controlled environment,” said John Laux, upland game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Resident youth, age 15 or younger, do not need a permit to hunt small game, but nonresident youth must have a hunt permit and habitat stamp. Only youth are all...
Hunters again are challenged to go afield with family and friends this fall to complete the Nebraska Upland Slam by harvesting all four of Nebraska’s primary upland game bird species. The challenge of the Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever, is to harvest a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season. Successful hunters upload a photo of each harvested bird through an online platform and p...
With the annual dove season opener on Sept. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has reminders for hunters and recommendations for areas to hunt. Dove hunting is an excellent opportunity to introduce youth and other novice hunters to hunting. Doves are abundant statewide and, with generous bag limits, provide some excellent wing-shooting opportunities. Doves may be hunted statewide Sept. 1 to Oct. 30, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively. Bag and possession limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian...
The Grove Trout Rearing Station, near Royal, will be closed to visitors until further notice due to upcoming expected high air temperatures in the area. Trout have been experiencing some health issues as the water to the facility has been warming. Warm water holds less oxygen, which is crucial to trout production. Additional stressors could further compromise fish health, prompting the decision to close visitation to this popular Antelope County destination. “Game and Parks and the staff at the facility would like to thank the public for its c...
Duck hunters must choose between two daily bag limits when they register for their Harvest Information Program number this year. Nebraska and South Dakota are entering a new two-tier program starting with the 2021- 2022 regular duck season. Tier I is the current traditional six-duck bag limit with species and sex restrictions. Tier II is a three-duck bag limit with no species or sex restrictions. HIP registration begins Aug. 1. When hunters register, they will be asked whether they plan to hunt ducks. If so, they will be prompted to select a...
Trey A. German, 21, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick for sentencing last Tuesday, June 22, on a Class 1 misdemeanor count of theft by deception, $501 - $1,499. Burdick sentenced him to 95 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for five days previously served. He was taxed $62 costs of prosecution. German was ordered to stand committed to the HCJ until costs are paid in full. The crime, committed Feb. 15, was not reported until Feb. 23, when the victim received a monthly billing. German made two separate purchases at Bomgaars in O...
Justin W. Stoltz, 35, of Elgin faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom last Wednesday, May 19, for a pretrial hearing on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, .15 or greater, second offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Pursuant to a plea agreement with Antelope County attorney Joe Abler, Stoltz withdrew his previous not guilty plea and entered a no contest plea to an amended count, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor committed Jan. 23. In addition, Abler agreed not to...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking to provide additional hunting and fishing opportunities on private lands through its Open Fields and Waters Program. Landowners willing to allow public, walk-in access for hunting or fishing can receive annual, per-acre payments through the program. Participating landowners are afforded liability protection through the Nebraska Recreational Liability Act. Additional financial incentives often are available for habitat improvements, such as...
DARYL BAUER Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Catch and release is an established and important part of modern fishing. Sure, harvesting some of the fish we catch should be a part of our fishing experience. However, our fisheries are managed for recreational fishing, and if you are just fishing for a meal, well, the grocery store likely would be a cheaper way to get your fish. In some cases, catch and release is mandated by regulations; all length-limit regulations essentially are mandatory...
GRACE GORENFLO Nebraska News Service Nearly 100 tax-related bills have been introduced this legislative session, with topics ranging from selling alcohol at farmers markets to excluding retired military from state income tax. Chair of the Revenue Committee Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn said the committee has a package of sales tax bills and a package of income tax bills it is working to pass this session. The committee’s two priority bills, LB432 and LB595, will each have several other tax bills amended into them after hearings have c...
An Elgin man was bound over to Antelope County district court on felony charges, by the Honorable Donna Taylor, when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Feb. 17. Travis D. Mace, 35, faced Taylor for further arraignment in two related cases, including possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class 3 felony, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 4 felony, both alleged Jan. 30 in Neligh. Mace, represented by public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk,...
Two defendants waived their rights to preliminary hearings in the Antelope County court last Wednesday, Feb. 3, and were bound over to Antelope County district court by the Honorable Donna Taylor. Mason R. Siems, 21, of Tilden is charged with two Class 1D felony counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, alleged Nov. 21, 2020. He is set for arraignment in district court Feb. 24. Taylor set bond at $10,000, personal recognizance. Siems is represented by Antelope County public...
Robert M. Gotschall, 36, of Atkinson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O'Neill last Tuesday, Feb. 2, for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge, abuse of a vulnerable adult. Pursuant to a plea deal with Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly, Gotschall entered a no contest plea to a reduced charge, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Burdick found Gotschall guilty and sentenced him to 60 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for 56 days previously...
JERRY KANE Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Staying warm and comfortable while on the ice will go a long way toward ensuring you have a fun outing ice-fishing. The conditions will determine exactly how you will want to dress, but, regardless, you should dress in layers. The reason? You'll want to stay warm, and you'll need to avoid sweating. Getting set up for fishing – or moving to new fishing areas on the ice – is where you can work up a sweat. This includes carrying or dragging your gea...
Jefferey C. Voborny, 58, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Dec. 16, for sentencing. Voborny pleaded guilty Nov. 4, after reaching a plea deal with Antelope County attorney Joe Abler, to Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, 0.15 or more, second offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and no contest to Count II, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor, both committed Sept. 3. In return, Abler dismissed an infraction count of failure to yield...
Nebraska’s annual First Day Hikes are a chance to explore trails, watch wildlife, snap photos and create a lifetime of memories. This year, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages families to take self-guided hikes between Jan. 1 and 3 at a Nebraska state park, state historical park or state recreation area. Though parks usually offer guided tours, hot chocolate and more, this year’s First Day Hikes have been adjusted to account for the current public health situation. Select parks are planning on giving the event their own unique spi...
Kyle L. Boettcher, 31, of Stuart faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt Count courtroom in O’Neill last Tuesday, Dec. 15, for a hearing on four counts, Count I, possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; Count II, no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count III, possession of marijuana and Count IV, possession of drug paraphernalia, infractions. A plea deal was reached, resulting in Holt Count prosecutor Brent Kelly reducing Count I to attempted possession, a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a joint sentencing r...
Dennis J. Nekolite, 30, of O’Neill appeared before the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom Tuesday, Dec. 1. Nekolite faced Burdick for sentencing on two Class 1 misdemeanors, Count I, operate motor vehicle to avoid arrest and Count II, criminal mischief, $1,500 to $4,999. Burdick sentenced him to 60 days in the Holt County Jail on Count I and 14 days on Count II, with credit for one day previously served. The jail terms are to be served concurrent and commence Jan. 2, 2021. In addition, Burdick ordered his driver’s license imp...
Hunters should expect to find pheasants in numbers similar or slightly higher than last year when the Nebraska pheasant, quail and partridge seasons open on Oct. 31. Pheasant counts were up 5% statewide, according to the July Rural Mail Carrier Survey. Notable increases were observed in the southwest and Panhandle. Quail counts during the July survey and the Whistle Count Survey were 14-16% lower compared to 2019. Populations seem to be recovering from losses incurred during the severe spring of 2019. Nesting conditions were favorable...
Caydence Schumacher, a seventh grade student at Summerland - Clearwater, placed in the Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational, held Sept. 26 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area, near Broken Bow. Schumacher finished second in the unclassified division, with a score of 27. Nate Kaup, of West Point, won the division, with 30, while Nathan Kastens, of Anselmo, hit 26, placing third. Gavin Carrizles, Scottsbluff, earned the state title, hitting all 40 silhouette targets. The annual event,...
Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and state park and recreation area lakes across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this fall and winter. Stocking schedules can change on short notice for a variety of reasons. The following is a tentative stocking schedule in this area, including quantities: Week of Oct. 5 – East Verdigre Creek, Royal – 200 trout; Week of Oct. 13 – TaHaZouka Park Lake, Norfolk – 1,500; Niobrara SP Pond, 1,000; Grove Lake WMA, Royal – 1,500; We...
Kraig A. Brown, 33, a former O’Neill resident who is currently incarcerated, faced the Honorable Kale Burdick, electronically from the Omaha Correction Center, last Tuesday, Sept. 15. Pursuant to a plea deal with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, Brown pleaded guilty to four counts committed March 1, careless driving, an infraction; no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and no operator’s license, also a Class 3 misdemeanor. In return, Kelly recommended fines only. Burdick sen...
