Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The formation of clay into functioning vessels dates back thousands of years. Add a present-day artist’s interest in fossils and an archaic collaboration is created. For Kaci Schacht, the 23 year-old artist/owner of Mug Schacht’s, inspiration is found close to home. “Dinosaurs have always fascinated me and maybe growing up near Ashfall (Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, located near Royal) had something to do with that,” reflected Schacht, “and having a mom who loves art.” Her mom, Te...
Antelope County still is looking for a new emergency manager. Part-time county road foreman Casey Dittrich had applied for the position, but he withdrew his application during the board of commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the courthouse in Neligh. County clerk Lisa Payne noted other than Dittrich’s application, which had been discussed at one of the board’s previous meetings in July, she had no new ones to present to the commissioners for consideration. “We advertised and did not...
Emotions ran high again this week, as legislators tried to complete their priorities during the last few days of this legislative session. As I had hoped, the Revenue Committee advanced a package that joined property tax relief, business tax incentives and a major project at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This proposal was contained in a compromise amendment to LB 1107, a placeholder bill introduced by the Speaker of the Legislature, Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk. The current Property T...
Roger D. Stuckwisch, 78, of Tilden, was convicted of six crimes in a sexual assault case with victims as young as four years of age. Charged with 12 counts of sexual assault of a child, five first degree and seven third degree, Stuckwisch was adjudged guilty by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district court last week, after he pleaded no contest, pursuant to a plea deal, to subjecting six different children to sexual abuse between 2005 and 2016. He was convicted of Count I, as...
Great ideas begin at the kitchen table. For Max Heiter and Gary Jones, a hobby hooked their interests and they turned it into a well-known business, H & J Lures, based in Royal. Now, the small-town company remains afloat, thanks to Jones' nephews: Alex, Brandon and Derek Sonnenfelt. Now known as Trio Tackle, the Sonnenfelt brothers have operated the business from their homes and garages in the Norfolk area since October 2018. Brandon plans to construct a shop in the Hadar area, which will have...
Ten-year-old Taylor Sonnenfelt enjoys fishing. She also likes earrings. After her dad, Brandon, and uncles, Alex and Derek Sonnenfelt, took over H & J Lures, she thought the teardrop lures looked cool. And, an idea was born. "I started making earrings on my own," Taylor said. "It was pretty easy." Her creations comprise inventory for Taylor's Tackle Boutique. Her collection includes single and multi-colored teardrops, along with customized Husker designs. She has sold earrings at several shows...
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...
Luna Stephens and Katie Anderson Nebraska News Service During the Nebraska Legislature’s second week back in session, senators advanced the state’s budget to final reading. Senators also attempted to bring new pieces of legislation to address pandemic-related issues like evictions and regulations for meatpacking workers. State budget Senators advanced two state budget bills to final reading on July 28 including $55.2 million for damage from the 2019 floods, $10 million to the rural workforce housing investment fund and $3.7 million inc...
Luna Stephens and Katie Anderson Nebraska News Service Senators passed two state budget bills on July 31 including $55.2 million for damage from the 2019 floods, $10 million to the rural workforce housing investment fund and $3.7 million increase in developmental disability provider rates. LB1008, presented by Speaker Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, is the $9.4 billion mainline state budget bill. After final reading, bills are submitted to the governor. The governor must sign, veto or line item veto the budget...
Holt County Supervisors spent nearly one hour discussing force spraying, conducted by the Holt County Weed Department, during the board's July 16 meeting. Superintendent Bill Babutzke told the supervisors more than 120 inspections have been completed across the county. One property, consisting of approximatley 900 acres, will require a force spraying for leafy spurge and musk thistles. The price tag could tally between $20,000 and $30,000. "There's not a plane out there that will do it. Not a...
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...
Antelope County commissioners worked a little closer to resolving a plethora of road issues last week, although no decision was reached for bonding more work. The bulk of the July 7 meeting at the courthouse in Neligh was dedicated to county roads, in one form or another. After clearing the agenda of other business and more than an hour of discussion with road superintendent Aaron Boggs, an unofficial agreement was reached, giving Boggs direction to move forward with work on four heavily...
Four individuals will vie for the title of Miss Clearwater Rodeo 2020 during Friday's opening evening of rodeo competition. The winner will reign over the 53rd annual event, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, July 10 to 12. Taylor Bolling, of Clearwater; Josey Booth, Neligh; Morgan Erhardt, Orchard and Brooke Lehr, of Columbus, will be judged in horsemanship, congeniality and appearance categories. Prior to Friday's 7:30 p.m. rodeo opening, awards for all categories will be announced, in...
Six of seven defendants who faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday morning, July 1, when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County court, faced charges stemming from alleged fights. If convicted of their individual third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent charges, they each face a possible fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, for the Class 2 misdemeanor. Hugo Estrada, 28, and Smokie J. Pike, 24, who resided in Neligh for the past several months, were cited for a May 3 fight at their residence. Pike pleaded...
While the 53rd version of Clearwater's Big Rodeo will look familiar, several adaptations will be in place because of COVID-19 concerns. According to Clearwater Chamber of Commerce President Curt Thiele, the organization has worked hand-in-hand with North Central District Health Department personnel to develop a plan so the rodeo would come to fruition. "We're taking precautions," Thiele said, noting hand sanitizer will be available and facilities will be disinfected every two hours. Social...
The Honorable Mark Johnson presided from the bench in the Antelope County district court Wednesday, June 24, when he sentenced a former Neligh man to 18 months in prison for domestic assault. Brennon J. Coleman, 36, of Randolph, who was convicted of the Class 3A felony charge of third-degree domestic assault, subsequent offense, March 25, was sentenced to incarceration in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, with credit for 69 days previously served. Assuming he loses none of his good time, Coleman will...
SUBMITTED ARTICLE Filips Vision Source of Hartington and Creighton recently announced winners of the O Say Can You See American Flag photo contest. Northeast Nebraska residents were asked to show American pride by sending in a photo of an American flag from their community. Ewing residents answered the call, submitting 34 flags, putting the village in second place for 2020. Wynot residents submitted 49 photos and Boelus residents, 19, to round out the top three. Each community will receive a...
KATIE ANDERSON Nebraska News Service With the summer session less than three weeks away, Nebraska Legislature's leaders say there are important tax and revenue topics to be debated and hope to keep everyone safe inside the Capitol. When the 17-day session reconvenes July 20, changes most notable to the public will be how the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber is set up and how it will function. Due to COVID-19, the Legislature is taking safety precautions for senators' return. "The speaker...
KATIE ANDERSON Nebraska News Service Property tax relief is on the agenda for the 17-day legislative session later this month, but opponents argue that the proposed property tax relief plan will hinder school district spending and taxing authority. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, chairwoman of the revenue committee, is leading the charge to get a property tax relief package passed when the Legislature resumes on July 20. “We have a property tax crisis more severe now in agriculture but moving toward suburbia,” Linehan said. “If you b...
I first met Vinne about 10 years ago, when he ventured from Boulder, Colorado, to Norfolk, to participate in the amateur division of the Great American Comedy Festival. He had a presence on stage that was hard to forget. He paced back and forth, wearing a path, like a tennis ball ricocheting side-to-side. And, there was something about his voice. He commanded attention. His timing was impeccable, delivering the twist of a joke. He made an impression. We chatted after the competition and...
Justin W. Bennett, 24, formerly of Lancaster, California, currently incarcerated at the Antelope County Jail, appeared before the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom Wednesday, June 17, on an extradition request from Los Angeles County, California. Prior to facing the judge, Bennett informed county attorney Joe Abler he intended to request a hearing, to find out what the California charges are about. Documents in possession of Antelope County officials listed allegations by code only. Abler said he had not looked up...
Funeral service for Vivian G. Watson, 88, of Clearwater, were Tuesday, June 16, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Clearwater. Burial was in Clearwater Cemetery. Vivian died Wednesday, June 10, at Arbor Care Center in Neligh. Snider Memorial Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorialfh.com. ~~~ Vivian Grace Watson was born Oct. 7, 1931, to Jacob and Genevieve (Cobler) Worley at Norfolk. She attended Norfolk High School. On June 29, 1949, she was united in marriage to C...
SANDY SCHROTH sschroth@ summerlandadvocate.com Rebecca L. Preister, 32, of Oakdale faced the Honorable Donna Taylor Wednesday, June 3, for a preliminary hearing on a Class 3A felony count of third-degree assault on an officer. Pursuant to a plea agreement with county attorney Joseph Abler, she pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of resisting arrest, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Taylor ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing Aug. 5. Bond filed May 18, in the amount of $50,000, 10% cash, is continued. According to an affidavit, officers...
Wesley D. Hattula, 21, of Oakdale, currently incarcerated, entered not guilty pleas to three felony counts when he was arraigned by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom last Wednesday, May 27. Hattula's court-appointed attorney, Pat Carney of Norfolk appeared in the courtroom, while Hattula appeared via video conference from the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center. Hattula is charged with incest, a Class 2A felony; manufacture of child pornography, a Class 1D...
The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced three individuals last Wednesday, May 20, in the Antelope County courtroom, while handling a variety of cases, from city nuisance violations and bad checks to violence and drugs. Mitchell B. Heine, 25, appeared for sentencing on two Class 1 misdemeanor counts, attempted possession of cocaine and attempted possession of hydrocodone, committed in May 2019. Taylor sentenced Heine to fines of $1,000 for each crime and $60 costs of prosecution. Heine pleaded guilty to the amended charges Feb. 19 after reaching a...
