Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 601 - 625 of 762
A former Holt County resident was sentenced to three three-year prison terms for felony convictions and three one-year terms for misdemeanor convictions, all committed in Holt County, beginning more than three years ago. Jeff A. Dolberg, 45, was sentenced by the Honorable Karin Noakes on Monday, June 29, in Holt County district court. Noakes began presiding over the case after the Honorable Mark Kozisek recused himself, pursuant to a motion filed on Dolberg’s behalf by his attorney, Rodney Smith of O’Neill. The motion to disqualify cited Koz...
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...
Twenty-nine-forty – an accounting code that identifies an Antelope County Law Enforcement Center fund – has become a familiar term during Antelope County commissioner dialog, as well as a point of contention between county officials. The “special revenue” account was formed after the Law Enforcement Center went into operation in 2015. In the ensuing years, the balance in the account has grown to more than $400,000 from fees charged for housing prisoners from other counties and law enforcement services provided to several Antelope County...
Trinity J. Mosel, 19, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick last Tuesday, June 23, in the Holt county courtroom, charged with two infractions, committed May 15, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense. She plead guilty to both counts and was fined $100 and $300, respectively, and was assessed $49 costs. Gail L. Crosser, 40, of Hastings was sentenced for a count of careless driving committed in December 2019. Crosser pleaded guilty to the Count II infraction Feb. 4, but not guilty t...
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...
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...
The Holt County supervisors reviewed and set new parameters for daily meal reimbursement when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 16. Staff working outside the county will be allowed $10 for breakfast, $12 for lunch and $16 for dinner/supper. The motion was made by supervisor Steve Boshart, seconded by supervisor Doug Frahm and carried on a 6-0 vote, with supervisor Don Hahlbeck absent. Mike Zakrzewski of O’Neill was appointed to the board of adjustments, with Jim Hubel of Ewing, Mark Rossman and Barb Steskal of Atk...
Two 2019 cases were dispensed in the Holt County courtroom last week when the Honorable Kale Burdick pronounced sentence on defendants. Burdick sentenced Timothy P. Kopejtka, 47, of Page, $500 and assessed him $107 costs, on an amended charge of willful reckless driving, first offense, committed last year. The charge was reduced from a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence, in exchange for his guilty plea, pursuant to a plea deal with county attorney Brent Kelly. According to a probable cause affidavit, Nebraska State Patrol...
Angela Mortensen of Neligh has been appointed clerk of the district court in Antelope County, effective July 1. Mortensen, who has served as deputy clerk for more than 25 years, will serve the balance of the term of office, until January 2023, currently held by Judy Cole, who will retire June 30. Mortensen was appointed by a panel of four Antelope County commissioners Tuesday morning after applicants were interviewed. Questions were directed to three applicants, Mortensen, Tabitha Kerkman and...
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...
Antelope County commissioners approved an upgrade to security technology at the Antelope County Jail when they met at the courthouse in Neligh last week. After hearing some security-sensitive information during an executive session called on the advice of county attorney Joe Abler, the board heard a presentation by Rick Scheer with Control Masters, an Omaha technology company. Scheer said Control Masters is one of just a few companies in the country that provide corrections’ electronic services and he was asked to resolve some security e...
A recent effort by Holt County court staff resulted in $149 payment for a two-year-old citation and recall of a bench warrant issued in the case. An Omaha man paid a $100 fine and costs nearly two years after he was cited by a Nebraska Games and Parks officer for fishing without a permit at Spencer Dam in June 2018. Dajhaun M. Wells, 21, was cited for the Class 2 misdemeanor June 2, 2018, and given until June 19, 2018, to file a waiver or appear in Holt County court to contest the charge. Wells failed to appear in court. A bench warrant,...
Charlie Henery, chairman of the Antelope County board of commissioners, told his peers, when they met at the courthouse last Tuesday, June 2, that the condition of a road north of Clearwater embarrassed him. Discussion on 854 Road began as commissioner Eli Jacob asked the road superintendent his timeline for grinding a two mile stretch of 516 Avenue, from Clearwater north to the cemetery. Road boss Aaron Boggs said he first needed to know "where we're going with it." "Well, we either have to...
The Holt County board of supervisors approved more than $60,000 in courthouse maintenance projects when they met there May 29. On a motion by supervisor Bob Snyder, the leaders unanimously approved a proposal from Beckenhauer Construction for several maintenance projects at the courthouse. The proposal included replacement of a metal door and frame for $21,165; cleaning and painting 26 window frames for $22,825; and clean and paint the metal stairs for $19,085. Steve and Janene Peterson addressed the board regarding ongoing drainage issues...
A former Antelope County deputy has been for making a false statement last year to a special agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Jeffrey Treu, 63, was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment for his conviction of making a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement, by senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp last week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Treu pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement with US attorney Joseph Kelly. The agreement was...
The Holt County supervisors approved purchase of a vehicle for the sheriff’s department, when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill on May 18. The lease-purchase through the Nebraska Association of Counties Leasing Corporation, was approved by resolution, in an amount not to exceed $26,900, with an interest rate of not more that 2.5%. The supervisors unanimously approved a $2,722,583 bid from Knife River Midwest from Sioux City, Iowa, for asphalt overlay projects near Page, Emmet and Stuart. Knife River was the only bidder. Proposals from 10...
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...
A 23-year-old Oakdale man, who filed an appeal of his Antelope County conviction of two misdemeanor traffic counts with the Nebraska Supreme Court this past winter, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor again last week. The case found its way to the Nebraska Court of Appeals, where Hill’s appeal was “summarily” dismissed and returned to Taylor with a mandate to sentence. Antelope County was taxed $126 in costs for the appeal. Taylor, on Wednesday, May 20, in the Antelope County courtroom, dismissed the case against Garrett A.H. Hill, due to proce...
A 21-year-old Oakdale man was bound over to Antelope County district court on three felony counts by the Honorable Donna Taylor on Wednesday. Wesley D. Hattula, currently incarcerated, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over on charges including incest, a Class 2A felony; manufacture of child pornography, a Class 1D felony; and possession of child pornography, a Class 4 felony, all alleged April 21. District court arraignment was set for May 27, before the Honorable Mark...
Antelope County Sheriff Robert Moore will no longer serve as the county's emergency manager. In a letter addressed to the Antelope County clerk, Moore said he felt he could no longer work under the "current conditions and feelings of the commissioners." The letter was dated May 7, two days after a meeting when two commissioners found fault with the manner a refrigerated semi-trailer was purchased to serve as a makeshift morgue for a worst-case scenario, when deaths from COVID-19 may exceed...
Andrew J. Harris, 34, of Atkinson was sent to prison by the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the district court of Holt County on Monday. Harris was sentenced to concurrent 18-month terms in an institution under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, with credit for 136 days served, for convictions of counts I and II, attempted burglary and attempted theft by unlawful taking, both Class 3A felonies committed Jan. 3 near Stuart; and two concurrent 12-month prison terms, to be served consecutive to the 18-month terms, for...
The Antelope County commissioners are considering a bond to finance extensive road repairs. “I think a big topic at this meeting will be what we will do with our oil roads, after our discussion last week,” commissioner Dean Smith said during the commissioners’ May 11 meeting at the courthouse in Neligh. He had contacted Tobin Buchanan with First National Capital Markets, who had previously worked with the county, to inquire about bond terms to finance potential major repair costs, “to look at options on how we are going to go forward with th...
The purchase of a refrigerated semi-trailer and the county fund it was paid from were among matters of contention at the Antelope County commissioners' meeting last week. All five commissioners, several other county officials and others were present in the courthouse meeting room May 5 and the meeting was shared electronically via Zoom. Some of those present were asked to step into the hall at one point, when more than 10 were observed in the room. Jared Reimers addressed the commissioners...
A Holt County supervisor recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference. Bill Tielke, chairman of the county supervisor board, was notified in January that he had been appointed to the association's Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Steering Committee. The committee is responsible for matters pertaining to air, water, energy and land use – including such things as water resources/management; stormwater; pesticides; a...
