Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1926 - 1950 of 3734
A longtime Ewing public servant was recognized during the board of trustees' Dec. 14 meeting at city hall. Chairman James Ramold thanked Bill Graber for 20 years of service to the community. "My last day and I show up late," Graber joked. The board reorganized during the meeting and swore in its newly-elected trustee, Katie Cunningam. Each trustee will oversee a specific department. Cunningham will handle parks; Kane Fry streets; Dustin Wright, water and sewer; cemetery, Ramold; and dump,...
A 35-year-old Page man has been given the opportunity to resolve two felony cases through the North Central Problem Solving Court. Problem-solving courts are an alternate route through the criminal justice system for nonviolent drug-related offenders, utilizing a specialized team process within the existing court structure. The court's goal is to protect public safety and increase the participant's likelihood of successful rehabilitation by utilizing validated risk and need assessments, early...
A world premiere took place in Orchard, Dec. 17, when the 402 Theater Group presented "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." The 10-minute holiday play, inspired by the Christmas song, opened Dec. 17 at the Orchard Community Center. The script was penned by Orchard resident Don Lallier. Cast members included Jersey Grey, Jillian Henn, Raeley Meyer and Gunnar Shabram. Lynae Stelling provided musical accompaniment and Derek Henn assisted backstage. Following the production, Santa Claus paid a visit...
“A manual count of 48,292 ballots from 132 voting precincts across all 93 Nebraska counties verifies that the equipment utilized to count ballots is secure and accurate,” Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced Dec. 16. Following each statewide election since 2008, a manual audit has been conducted for 2 to 3% of precincts across the state. This year’s audit was expanded to 10%. Nebraska continues to use paper ballots, which allows for post-election audits. The manual audit verifies that the equipment properly functioned on Election Day and w...
Dustin G. Carman, 29, of Neligh faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Dec. 20, for a change of plea hearing and sentencing on a Class W misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense. Carman’s attorney, John Green of Omaha appeared telephonically. Burdick sentenced Carman to a $500 fine, seven days in the Holt County Jail, suspended until Dec. 24, with credit for one day previously served, and revoked his driver’s license for six months. He was taxed $105 costs of prose...
Pretend for a moment that Nebraska somehow halted all use of nitrogen fertilizer – not a single speck more on our lawns, golf courses and corn fields. What would happen? Nothing fast. That's because, experts say, generations of corn growing, feedlot runoff and oft-unwitting nitrogen overuse has left a legacy of nitrate, creeping slowly downward toward our water supply. "It's there, it's moving towards the groundwater, and there's not a thing we can do about it," said Don Batie, a farmer near L...
A written waiver of preliminary hearing was filed Dec. 16 in the Holt County court by Adam J. Mittelstaedt, 45, of Norfolk on eight felony counts. Mittelstaedt is charged with a total of 13 offenses alleged Nov. 18 in O’Neill. He is represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith. The Honorable Kale Burdick bound Mittelstaedt over to the Holt County district court, where he is set for Jan. 9, 2023, arraignment on the following felony counts: Counts I, II, III and IV, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Class 1 D felonies; C...
Nebraska Extension will host a workshop covering agricultural land management and leasing considerations for 2023, in O’Neill, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Holt County Courthouse Annex, 128 N. 6th Street. The workshop will offer updated leasing information relevant to landlords and tenants, including tips for communication and negotiating. It will address topics like equitable rental rates, managing and adjusting farmland leases, landlord-tenant issues, pasture leasing, crop-share leasing and other management considerations. The p...
As 2022 comes to an end, the Nebraska State Patrol is urging all motorists to plan ahead if New Year’s celebration involves alcohol. Troopers will be working overtime on patrol for impaired drivers as part an ongoing nationwide enforcement campaign. “Travel across our state was impacted by severe winter weather last week, but as the weather improves, it’s still important to keep safe travel as your priority behind the wheel,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our troopers and partner agencies will be w...
The last of four young men charged in connection with March 21 break-ins at two Neligh businesses, Neligh Vape Shop and the Fit Stop, appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Dec. 21, with the Honorable Mark Johnson presiding. Madison County attorney Joe Smith again represented the State of Nebraska in the stead of Antelope County attorney Joe Abler, who was absent due to illness. Smith told the judge he anticipated being sworn in as deputy Antelope County attorney later Wednesday. Harley Snyder, 20, of Oakdale faced...
A baby boy, who was born in Bethlehem, may well hold the future of the world in his tiny hands. Witnesses report a man and women recently arrived at a local inn, which did not have any vacancies. "Instead, I offered them a spot in the stable," said the innkeeper. The young couple agreed to the businessman's offer. The story of how and why the couple arrived in Bethlehem, and the importance of the baby's birth, is now being told around the world. According to the young mother, named Mary, an...
Five of seven defendants who were set for arraignment Dec. 7 faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. Two others were truant. Madison County attorney Joe Smith represented the state as prosecutor. Smith said he was covering for Antelope County attorney Joe Abler, who was absent due to illness. “I am not sure how long that illness will last,” Smith said. Roland Hurtig, 61, of Orchard appeared for arraignment on Count I, a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense; and two inf...
Third-party ads that targeted state Sen. Tony Vargas during his recent run for U.S. Congress featured incredulous voices, baffled over a seemingly selfish move: He wanted to "double his own salary" with taxpayer money. What the ads didn't say: Nebraska's 49 lawmakers have been paid $12,000 a year since George H. W. Bush was first elected president, leg warmers were en vogue and Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" blasted unironically from boomboxes. If their pay had kept pace with inflation...
Frigid temperatures and a blast of snow did not stop area residents from a trip to Ewing last week. Anson Electric, Inc., held its annual customer appreciation event Wednesday, Dec. 14. Organizers said with the weather forecast, they were concerned about attendance. Mother Nature did not slow the event. "We could not have been more pleased with how the day turned out," said organizer Gina Koenig. "We do not keep track of numbers, but this may have been one our best turnouts in all the years we...
KEARNEY – Nicole Strope loves to learn. She proved that last week by completing her third degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. "I can't stop going to school," the English language arts teacher joked. Strope first enrolled at UNK in 2011, back when she wanted to be a therapist. The Bridgeport native liked the university's location – not too far from home – as well as the size of the campus and community. "The class sizes at UNK are big enough that you're getting more of a chall...
Tyler K. Hanson, 40, of Rapid City, South Dakota (formerly of O’Neill), faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Dec. 13. He pleaded guilty to a Class I misdemeanor, third-degree domestic assault, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In return, a felony count of false imprisonment was dismissed and there was a joint recommendation for a probation sentence. Burdick ordered a 24-month term of probation, under terms set forth in a Wheeler County sentence. He was ordered to pay pro...
A felony case against Justin M. Golter, 47, was dismissed in Antelope County court last week. Golter is currently incarcerated at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Antelope County attorney Joe Abler filed a document Dec. 5, dismissing a 2022 Class 1D felony charge, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. The charge stemmed from meth allegedly found in a vehicle Golter had driven to the courthouse Aug. 31, the day he fled from officers after a district court appearance for a similar...
The Honorable Kale Burdick sentenced four individuals when he presided from the Holt Count court bench in O’Neill on Dec. 6, three of them for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kalah M. Bergmann, 38, of Gretna was sentenced to a $500 fine, 10 days in the county jail, an 18-month term of probation and her driver’s license was revoked for 18 months for DUI (.08), second offense, a Class W misdemeanor. The jail time is deferred until Dec. 27 and she was given credit for one day previously served. Bergmann was taxed $115 costs of prosecution...
Two defendants waived their rights to preliminary hearings on felony charges in the Holt County court when they faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the O’Neill courtroom Dec. 6. William D. Liermann, 63, of O’Neill filed a written waiver of his right to preliminary hearing. He is charged with five felony counts - counts I and II, delivery of a controlled substance (oxycodone), Class 2 felonies; Count III, possession of a controlled substance (heroin), a Class 4 felony; Count IV, possession of a deadly weapon (knife) by a prohibited person, a C...
A 19-year-old Orchard woman has been given the opportunity to resolve two felony cases through the Northeast Nebraska Problem Solving Court. Makenzie A. Dow appeared in Holt County district court last week, facing the Honorable Mark Kozisec for two cases. A plea deal was announced, which included dismissal of one case by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. That case included accusations of the June 16 theft of firearms and wallets with several credit cards, a social security card and driver’s license, from vehicles, as well as contributing to the...
An Orchard theater company will make its debut, Saturday, with a take on a popular holiday song. "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," penned by Orchard resident Don Lallier, will be performed by the 402 Theater Group, at 5 p.m., at the Orchard Community Center. Organizers call the play "the perfect event for children and family to attend right before Christmas." Cast members include Raeley Meyer, Jersey Gray, Sara Trease and Gunnar Shabram. Lallier will direct the play, while Jillian Henn serves...
Antelope County’s planning and zoning board will take a look at current regulations regarding pipelines. On Tuesday, commissioners approved to request the board to meet and adopt similar regulations drafted by Holt County, at a minumum, for pipelines. Commissioner Dean Smith said his motion would give “Summit Carbon Solutions consistent regulations.” During discussion, Smith showed photos illustrating destruction from the Keystone I pipeline spill, south of Steele City, Nebraska. He said the l...
Clearwater Village Board of Trustees will have a new look, following Monday's reorganization meeting held in the fire hall meeting room. Longtime trustees Steve Hankla and Kevin Filsinger made their final motions prior to the board concluding business sine die. They, along with Steve Stearns, who stepped away from the board earlier this year, were recognized for their years of service. Hankla, who served as chairman, said he had served "the past 10 or 11 years." Filsinger filled the position...
Koda K. Fernau, 18, of Clearwater appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor on Dec. 6, beside his court-appointed attorney Ryan Stover of Norfolk, for a status hearing on a felony count of making terroristic threats and for arraignment on two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace. Stover asked for a continuance, “not out very far…Koda has been in the Antelope County Jail since September.” He then asked for review of Fernau’s $25,000, 10% bond. “I am sure he would like to be home with his family for Christmas. His mom agreed to...
McCOOK – In a 100-year-old building in downtown McCook, push the round number six and an elevator ride takes you up, up, up to the highest floor in this railroad town’s tallest building. The elevator lurches stopped. The doors slide open. And here it is – an open concrete floor covered in hundreds of glittering metal sculptures, carved wooden figures, “outsider art” paintings by artists who have shown work in New York, Washington D.C., London. The space is an explosion of color and texture. It’s a global contemporary art tour. It’s a four...
