Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can discover the outdoors by participating in the second annual Nebraska Fish Art Contest. The 2021 contest, which is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Wildlife Forever and Bass Pro Shops, is accepting entries through March 31, 2021. Enter at statefishart.org. This free international art and writing competition gives young people the opportunity to highlight their artistic talents while learning about fish, fishing and aquatic...
With fall hunting seasons coming up, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters of temporary Hunter Education changes from which they can benefit. Until further notice, online-only Hunter Education courses, without the Hunt Safe Session requirement, is allowed for ages 11 and older in Nebraska. Youth ages 11-15 who take the online Hunter Education course normally are required to attend a two-hour Hunt Safe Session before they can receive a certificate of completion. That Hunt Safe Session requirement temporarily has been waived...
Connor A, Napier, 18, of Ewing was fined $100, $49 costs and his driver’s license was impounded for 30 days by the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom July 14. Napier pleaded guilty to a zero-tolerance violation (minor driving in excess of .02 alcohol), an infraction committed May 24. The plea was entered pursuant to a plea deal. In return, Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed a Class 3 misdemeanor count of operating an all-terrain vehicle on a controlled-access highway. Napier was represented by Brad Montag of Norfolk. R...
The antlerless elk season opened Aug. 1 on private land in all seven elk management units in Nebraska. “Crop damage from elk can be a serious issue for many landowners, particularly in corn,” said Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Director Jim Douglas. “We understand this and want to help landowners resolve this problem.” Game and Parks believes the best way to manage big game populations is through hunting. To help manage elk, in 2020, Game and Parks increased antlerless permits by 40% and expanded the antlerless hunting season by 31 days, s...
Hunters may begin purchasing 2020 Nebraska fall turkey permits Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. Central Time. A fall turkey permit is valid statewide and allows a hunter to harvest two turkeys of either sex with a shotgun or archery equipment. Each hunter may have up to two permits. There is no minimum age requirement for youth. The fall turkey season is Sept. 15, 2020 through Jan. 31, 2021. Fall turkey permits may be purchased: • Online at OutdoorNebraska.org; • Via application form mailed to: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lin...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over an array of cases last Wednesday, stemming from fights, traffic crashes, driving while intoxicated or under suspension, to dog attacks. In a rare move, Taylor chose not to follow a sentencing recommendation county attorney Joseph Abler offered as part of a plea deal. Abler recommended a fine only for Smokie J. Pike, 24, of Kearney, in exchange for Pike's no contest plea to third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent, a Class 2 misdemeanor. After...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for a 2021 mountain lion hunting season at its June 19 meeting in Lincoln. Staff recommended a mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge that will have a maximum harvest of four mountain lions, down from eight in 2020. In addition, the number of permits available will be reduced by half compared to 2020. The 2021 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge Unit, which no longer is divided into subunits, will be Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Before Feb. 28, the...
Hunters have until July 3 to apply for a 2020-2021 multispecies lottery permit. Two types of permits are available: super tag and combo. The super tag permit is valid in 2020 and 2021 for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons. One super tag permit is authorized for residents only and one permit is authorized for residents/no...
In a proactive effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is delaying free fishing and park entry day, originally scheduled for May 16. Free fishing and park entry day, typically held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, allows anyone to enjoy fishing anywhere across the state without a fishing permit or explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park without the need to purchase a park entry permit. Normally, activities...
In honor of the role birds play in Nebraska's economy and ecosystems, Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May as Nebraska Bird Month. The month-long celebration, typically celebrated with bird-related events across the state, has taken on a new form this year in the interest of public health due to the novel coronavirus. Rather than attend an event, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites Nebraskans to get outside, look for birds and join a national citizen science program as part of the Nebras...
In a proactive effort to prevent the potential for spread of the coronavirus disease at its facilities, parks and events, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is limiting some public access. The commission aims to protect its staff and customers by removing opportunities for crowds to gather at facilities and events and by maintaining clean facilities. To do so, the agency has taken the following steps: -- All agency-sponsored events and activities scheduled through May 31 have been canceled. This includes the Cornhusker Trap Shoot, National...
One of the bills that I introduced this session was LB 770. It authorizes a free lifetime park permit for disabled veterans. This past week, LB 770 was advanced from the Natural Resources Committee on an 8-0 vote. I designated it as my priority bill and the Legislature gave it first-round approval on a 38-0 vote. Under LB 770, a veteran would be eligible for the free permit if they are a Nebraska resident, honorably discharged, and rated 50% or more service-connected disabled or 100% disabled, n...
Last year, I introduced and prioritized LB 243, which created the Healthy Soils Task Force. Since the bill’s passage last April, the governor has appointed 14 members to the task force, representing production agriculture, agribusiness, natural resource districts, environmental organizations and academic experts in the fields of agriculture and natural resources. In addition, the director of the department of agriculture serves on the task force, along with representatives of the Agriculture C...
Sergio V, Velasquez, 31, of O’Neill was sentenced by the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County court last Tuesday, Jan. 14, on three counts, Count II, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count III, refuse to submit to pretest, a Class 5 misdemeanor; and Count IV, refuse to submit to test, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor. Burdick sentenced him to fines of $75, $100 and $500, respectively; eight months’ probation, including fees totaling $210; and $50 costs of prosecution. Velasquez changed his not guilty pleas to guilty on the...
Ronald E. Frazier, 47, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor on Monday. Dec. 30, for arraignment on two counts committed Dec. 15 in Neligh, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, and Count II, refusal to submit to chemical test, both Class W misdemeanors. Frazier pleaded no contest and was judged guilty by Taylor. She ordered $500 fines on each count, six months revocation of his driver's license on each count, concurrent to each other, along with 10 days in the county jail on...
Anglers should be aware of changes to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sport fishing orders that took effect Jan. 1. The changes pertain to daily bag limits, possession limits, length limits and open areas. Changes include: • Trout – The daily bag and possession limits on cutthroat trout change from five and 12, respectively, to two and four, respectively, and only one fish in the bag can be 12 inches or longer. Cutthroats do not naturally reproduce in Nebraska and are produced in limited num...
Spring turkey hunting permits for 2020 will be available from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission beginning Jan. 13. Nebraska offers birds in every county of the state. Wild turkey hunters in Nebraska enjoy high success rates. In the spring, hunters can purchase as many as three permits, with a bag limit of one turkey per permit. The spring archery season opens March 25; youth shotgun, April 11; and the regular shotgun, April 18. All spring turkey seasons close May 31. Visit...
A program designed to give high school seniors practical work experience or college class credit wrapped its first semester when Clearwater Public Schools closed for the Christmas break, Dec. 20. Program managers Kendra Shrader and Amy Selting say the senior transition program has been a positive experience. "It's been a learning process (for all involved), but I think we're getting there and making progress," Shrader said. Nine of the 10 senior class members participate in the program, which in... Full story
The Honorable Donna Taylor had a busy day in court last Wednesday, when she passed sentence on 11 individuals in the Antelope County courtroom at Neligh. Taylor sent Twila Guggenmos, 59, of Oakdale to the Antelope County Jail to serve a 10-day sentence for a conviction of reckless driving, with credit given for one day previously served. The judge further ordered the $135 bond fee held by the county be applied to $141.61 costs, and the balance be paid prior to release, or sit out an extra day...
A South Dakota man is in custody following a multi-county case that ended Monday near the U.S. Highway 20 and Nebraska Highway 14 junction, between Royal and Brunswick. Matthew Waters, 34, of Colton, South Dakota, faces charges of felony assault on an officer with use of a vehicle and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest. The incident began at approximately 7:30 a.m., Nov. 18, when Cedar County Sheriff's Office fielded a phone call about an individual threatening suicide and was told it...
Nebraska's firearm deer season begins Nov. 16 and contines through Nov. 24, giving individuals an opportunity to share a hunt with family or friends. "We should have another great firearm deer season in Nebraska," said Luke Meduna, big game program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. "With plenty of permits available and excellent deer numbers, there are great hunting opportunities for all ages. Go out with your friends and family and stay safe." The Commission has the following...
A South Dakota man is in custody following a multi-county case that ended near the U.S. Highway 20 and Nebraska Highway 14 junction, between Royal and Brunswick. The incident began at approximately 7:30 a.m. Monday, when Cedar County Sheriff's Office fielded a phone call about an individual threatening suicide and were told it was possible the individual crossed state lines and was in Nebraska. "We pinged the phone to find a location," Nebraska State Patrol Troop B Captain Paul Hattan said....
The Nebraska auditor of public accounts released results Holt County's annual audit last week. The report covers July 2018 to June 2019, and includes numerous areas of concern for internal control that were listed in a letter sent to the county board of supervisors Sept. 10. The report is a matter of public record and is posted on the APA's website. Deann Haeffner, APA assistant deputy auditor, noted in the letter that the report is "critical in nature" as it addresses areas noted for...
The Honorable Donna Taylor handed down multiple sentences, along with hearing an array of other cases that filled the county court docket at the Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh last week. Minor in Possession Sentences Nine sentences involved Class 3 misdemeanor minor in possession charges, seven of them stemming from the recent Clearwater rodeo. Taylor cautioned defendants that subsequent alcohol-related offenses would result in higher fines and possible jail time. Katelynn E. Mullin, 18, of Danbury, Iowa, pleaded guilty and was sentenced...
Hunters may purchase 2019 big game permits at any Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office or online beginning at 1 p.m. central time on Aug. 5. Residents, nonresidents and eligible landowners may purchase remaining deer and antelope permits. Residents and eligible landowners may purchase remaining elk permits. These permits will be available through the end of big game seasons. To view a list of big game permits available to purchase, go to OutdoorNebraska.org, then click on 'Buy a Permit,'...
