Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 901 - 925 of 984
Holt County supervisors are considering the engagement of a human resources firm to help navigate employment issues. A telephone conference was held with Chad Thies from Zelle Human Resource Solutions in Lincoln during the March 16 meeting at the courthouse in O'Neill. After hearing what the firm offered in services, chairman Bill Tielke asked Thies to submit a proposal. Supervisor Steve Boshart estimated an annual cost of $36,000 to $40,000. "It will be high," Tielke said. "But the thing is, if...
The Nebraska Supreme Court has denied the appeal of an Antelope County man. Darryl Lierman, 53, who was sentenced to 70 to 140 years in prison in March 2018, appealed his conviction in April 2018. He was convicted of eight counts of sexual assault of a child in January 2018. Appeal proceedings were reviewed under the direction of Chief Supreme Court Justice C.J. Heavican. Bradley Ewalt of Norfolk represented the appellant, while the appellee case was handled by Attorney General Douglas Peterson and assistant Kimberly Klein. The judgment and...
Douglas D. Carpenter, 43, of Neligh, who was scheduled to face the Honorable Donna Taylor for a bench trial in the Antelope County courtroom Monday, March 23, reached a plea agreement with prosecutor Joe Abler. Carpenter had pleaded not guilty in October 2019 to Count I, stalking, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Per terms of the agreement, Carpenter pleaded no contest to an amended Count I, criminal attempt – stalking, a Class 2 misdemeanor, a...
Antelope County Commissioners approved a motion during an emergency meeting, March 18, to limit access to the courthouse. Beginning March 19, individuals needing to conduct business with local officials will be required to make an appointment with a specific office. The change will be in effect until April 7, or as deemed necessary by Centers for Disease Control and/or state officials. A list of office phone numbers and email addresses will appear on all courthouse doors. Visitors will be met...
Antelope County Commissioners approved a motion during an emergency meeting, March 18, to limit access to the courthouse. Beginning March 19, individuals needing to conduct business with local officials will be required to make an appointment with a specific office. The change will be in effect until April 7, or as deemed necessary by Center for Disease Control and/or state officials. A list of office phone numbers and email addresses will appear on all courthouse doors. Visitors will be met at...
The Appropriations Committee presented its recommendations for the budget to the Legislature this past week. Budget bills were also given first-round approval from the Legislature. Over the interim, the financial status of the current biennium has improved significantly. The variance from the minimum General Fund reserve was estimated at only $0.2 million when we adjourned last year, but has since grown to $133.8 million. Furthermore, the rainy day fund increased from $322.4 million to $731...
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...
The Honorable Kale Burdick sentenced four Holt County residents when he presided over the Holt County court last Tuesday, March 10. Harold A. Rockford, 61, of Chambers was sentenced to concurrent terms of 30 and two days in the county jail, respectively, for convictions of first-degree criminal trespass, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and criminal mischief, less than $500, a Class 3 misdemeanor. The sentences were ordered consecutive to a jail sentence ordered in a Holt County district court case. He was also ordered to pay $52 costs and $40 restitutio...
An Antelope County commissioner, who was set to face a jury of his peers in the Antelope County courtroom later this month, more than a year after an alleged theft of county property, pleaded no contest to an amended complaint when he faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday. Eli Jacob, 66, of Clearwater, who is accused of taking a heating unit from the Orchard county barn Jan. 1, 2019, appeared March 4 for a pretrial hearing in the case. Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith, as special prosecutor for Antelope County, told Taylor a plea...
Linda Thramer Wingett, of Ewing received a pleasant surprise during a Feb. 16 event at St. Dominic’s Hall, in Ewing. Winget said a group of four nuns were seated at a table. “I couldn’t see their faces,” Wingett said. One of the nuns was 88-year-old Sister Cecillia, from the Immaculata Monastery and Spirituality Center, in Norfolk. Sister Cecilia is now retired and enjoys making rosaries. According to Wingett, Sister Cecilia, a member of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, taught at the girls...
William M. Zohner, 63, of Norfolk appeared in Antelope County court March 4, facing the Honorable Donna Taylor for a pretrial hearing on three counts, driving under the influence, aggravated, a Class W misdemeanor, and two infractions, driving left of center and exceeding the speed limit 6-10 mph. A plea deal was announced. In exchange for Zohner’s guilty plea on Count I, the two infractions were dismissed by Antelope County attorney Joe Abler and there was a joint recommendation for a probation sentence. The DUI charge was enhanced due to a b...
Orchard FFA had a strong showing at district career development events in Norfolk last week. The chapter took 25 members who competed in nine different contests. The ag sales team earned a red ribbon and placed fifth. Avery Cheatum finished 10th. Other team members include Morgan Erhardt, Taelyn Switzer and Larissa Thomson. In agriscience, Trevor Thomson ended 39th and earned a red ribbon. The team, which also includes Emma Kerkman and Jaykwon Petite, finished 14th and received a red ribbon. The...
Christofer N. Carstens, 21, of Oakdale was found guilty of felony child abuse last Wednesday when he appeared before the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district court in Neligh. A plea agreement was reached, resulting in Carstens pleading no contest to the crime in exchange for prosecutor, Joe Abler’s agreement to file no further charges in the case and to recommend no more than 20 years imprisonment at sentencing, which is set April 29. Johnson ordered a presentence investigation report. Accused of injuring his infant d...
Joey Crooker, 37, of Ainsworth, formerly of Page, was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom last Wednesday, Feb. 26. Crooker, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of sexual assault pursuant to a plea agreement reached in December, has a previous sexual assault conviction, in 2002. He was questioned by the judge prior to passing sentence regarding his understanding of his previous sentence. "I understood," Crooker replied. "I just lost my head."...
Jeremy J. Mathrole, 40, appeared in Antelope County court last week for arraignment on two violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act. Due to previous violation convictions, the allegations are Class 3A felonies. Mathrole requested court-appointed counsel. Presiding judge Donna Taylor found him indigent and appointed Carney, setting a preliminary hearing March 4. He reappeared later in the day with Carney, who requested bond be reduced from $10,000, 10%, and conditions amended to allow Mathrole to travel to Kentucky where he previously...
Benjamin Parks, 22, of O’Neill appeared in Holt County court last Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a preliminary hearing on two charges filed by chief deputy Nebraska Attorney General David Bydalek last November, Count I, tampering with a witness, a Class 4 felony committed May 6, 2019, and procuring alcohol for a minor, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A plea deal was struck with prosecutor Mariah J. Nickel, assistant attorney general, and Parks attorney, Allison Rockey Mason of Norfolk. In exchange for a no contest plea to Count II, Nickel dismissed Count I. T...
Funeral services for Joan C. Stearns, 84, of Clearwater were held Saturday, Feb. 14, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church of rural Clearwater, with Father James Kramper officiating. Burial was in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery. Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater handled the arrangements. Joan died Feb. 12, at Antelope Memorial Hospital, in Neligh. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorialfh.com. ~~~ Joan Cecelia (Mlnarik) Stearns, daughter of Joseph F. and Cecelia H. Mlnarik, was born July 30, 1935, at hom...
The Honorable Kale Burdick presided over Holt County court last Tuesday, Feb. 11, handing down four sentences. Conrad A Lurz, 29, of Ellington, Missouri, formerly of O’Neill, faced Burdick for sentencing on two counts, second-degree false imprisonment, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He was sentenced to concurrent sentences of 30 days and five days in the county jail, respectively, and $60 costs of prosecution. Lurz was given credit for 10 days previously served for the May 4, 2019, offenses. Lurz changed...
Budd D. Sholes, 40, of Norfolk was sentenced last week in Holt County district court for December 2018 and January 2019 crimes committed in Holt County. The Honorable Mark Kozicek ordered Sholes to serve four terms in a facility under jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. If he loses none of his good time, Sholes must serve 15 months, less five days credited for time served in the county jail, before becoming eligible for parole, and 60 months (five years), less five days, before mandatory release. Sholes pleaded...
Funeral services for Mary Ann Thiele, 87, of Clearwater, will be Saturday, Feb. 29, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater, with Father John Norman and Father James Kramper officiating. Burial will be at St. Theresa's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, with a 7 p.m. wake service. Mary Ann died Sunday, Feb. 23, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling the...
American playwright Arthur Miller wrote, “A good newspaper, I suppose, is a nation talking to itself.” What happens when a newspaper quits talking? One community in Nebraska is discovering the effect of no longer having a local newspaper. When Coleridge residents received the Jan. 1 edition of the Coleridge Blade, a bold hammer headline stretched across the top of the page: Final edition. The paper, published for 131 years, was part of the Northeast Nebraska News Company, which owns new...
The Honorable Kale Burdick, in Holt County court last week, sentenced Joshua A. Boettcher, 28, to serve 30 days in the Holt County Jail for a Class 2 misdemeanor count of theft, less than $500. The complaint, filed in June 2019, stated Boettcher took movable property of another between Jan. 9, 2018, and Jan. 9, 2019. Boettcher will serve a 45-day sentence at the same time on a conviction of second-degree forgery, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed Oct. 27, 2018, included in the same complaint. As part of a plea agreement entered in October 2019,...
A Neligh man was sent to jail by the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday for repeatedly circumventing an ignition interlock device ordered in a Pierce County sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kasey Swyear, 28, was convicted in three Antelope County cases, after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutor Joe Abler. In the first case, Swyear changed his not guilty pleas to guilty on two counts committed Aug. 24, driving a vehicle without an interlock, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and speeding, 82 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, an...
A 78-year-old Tilden man was arrested Saturday, on allegations of sexual contact with five under-aged females. Tilden Police Chief, Robert Peterson, and Officer Randall Arrison, arrested Roger Stuckwisch, 78, at his residence in Tilden. Stuckwisch appeared in Antelope County Court, Feb. 5, for arraignment. Wednesday, he was charged with five counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child, Class IB felonies and seven counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child, Class IIIA felonies. A Class 1B felony is punishable by a sentence of 20 years...
Orchard school board members took no official action, other than consent agenda items when they met in the high school business room Wednesday, Feb. 4. Orchard principal Cathy Cooper told board members negotiations with the teachers’ association had been completed, with the 2020-2021 base salary for Summerland teachers set at $35,000. Currently Unified teacher base is $34,700 and Ewing’s is $35,000. Cooper said it would basically be a raise for everybody. “The base went up or the salary schedule percentages increased,” she said. “One item that...
