Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Should a person whose burial is paid for by the county need to be a resident? “It’s not necessarily what the amount is. I’m more concerned if we’re paying for Antelope County residents or if we’re paying for people applying because the county next door isn’t paying as much,” said Jay Snider, owner of Snider Memorial Funeral Home. Snider, a Clearwater resident, opened discussion with Antelope County Commissioners during the March 12 meeting in Neligh. Snider said it’s been approximately 1...
An Elgin man, who had moved from Arizona last fall, has learned about icy road conditions and Nebraska law regarding vehicle and driver’s licenses. Tyler S. Zawacky, 30, of Elgin appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on March 6 for pretrial hearing on Count I, leaving scene of property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and Count III, fictitious plates, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Pursuant to a plea agreement with a...
Joaquin S. Echeverria, 28, of Brenham, Texas, (in custody) appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week for preliminary hearing. Escheverria is accused of a Class 1 C felony, possession of more than 28 grams of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver, alleged Feb. 19. Antelope County public defender Pat Carney requested continuance. Taylor continued the hearing to March 20. Escheverria was remanded back to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, pending posting $100,000, 10%...
Joaquin S. Echeverria, 28, of Brenham, Texas, (in custody) appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 21 for first hearing on a Class 1 C felony. Echeverria is charged with possession of more than 28 grams of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver, alleged Feb. 19. If convicted of the felony, Echeverria faces up to 50 years in prison, with a minimum of five years. Echeverria requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney. Preliminary hearing...
Scarcely one square yard of a Neligh property was not covered by accumulated junk, trash, and debris, according to an Antelope County judge. The Honorable Donna Taylor, on Feb. 26, reached a verdict in a Neligh nuisance case. Kipp V. Polston, 46, of Neligh appeared in front of Taylor for a Feb.7 bench trial on a charge he violated Neligh’s nuisance ordinance. After hearing testimony and receiving evidence, Taylor took the case under advisement while she reviewed evidence and personally drove by the property, located just one block west of t...
Two defendants, who were recently arrested on warrants issued Feb. 1, appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday morning. Harley J. Snyder, 21, last known address, Lincoln, and Haiden Sleister, last known address, Oakdale, were both in the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore. Snyder had turned himself in to Lincoln authorities, while Sleister was arrested at the Madison County Jail when he posted bond on charges alleged there. Both men requested court-appointed...
Kristopher Dorrie, 39, of Albion appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Feb. 21, on a third-degree assault charge. Dorrie pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement with Antelope County prosecutor Joe Smith. In return, Smith recommended a fine only. Although Dorrie testified he didn’t think the victim, Cody Luscomb, was injured, he agreed to pay Luscomb’s restitution claim of $500. “I picked him up and we went to the ground, no punches,” Dorrie said. “(Luscomb) said he was (i...
Two separate jury trials have been set for an Oakdale man accused of driving during revocation/suspension and other crimes in September 2023 and in January. Shane Sleister, 49, of Oakdale (in custody), appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 21, in the two similar cases. Sleister’s attorney, public defender Pat Carney, asked Taylor to set separate trials in front of different juries. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith estimated one- to two-day trial in each case. Taylor set the t...
Casey Dittrich, of rural Tilden, will serve as the District 5 commissioner for Antelope County. Dittrich was appointed Feb. 7, following interviews with Antelope County attorney Joe Smith, county treasurer Deb Branstiter and county clerk Lisa Payne. One other candidate, Duane Miller, also interviewed for the position which came available following the resignation of Keith Heithoff....
The Honorable Donna Taylor handed sentences down from the county court bench in Neligh last Wednesday, Feb.7. Joe Hurd served as prosecutor in the absence of Antelope County attorney Joe Smith. Kegan J. McAllister, 19, of Tilden faced Taylor for sentencing on a count of third-degree domestic assault, committed July 6, 2023. Antelope County public defender Pat Carney asked the judge to consider probation. He said the assault was not a “fist to cuffs type of thing.” Taylor noted a presentence report did not recommend probation because of sev...
A Petersburg man accused of passing a counterfeit $100 bill last fall doesn’t want a lawyer but wants his bond modified. Thomas R. Miller, 54, had waived his right to counsel at his first court appearance last month and was denied a request for a bail refund. Miller appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, Feb. 7, for further arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor, second-degree forgery, alleged Oct. 11, when he is accused of passing the bill at Elgin One Stop. He again waived his right to counsel. He entered a not g...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over Antelope County court at the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 7. Handling prosecutor duties in the absence of Antelope County attorney Joe Smith was Joe Hurd, special deputy county attorney. Denis Kerkman, 90, of Tilden faced Taylor for sentencing on his latest conviction of violating a harassment protection order. Although Hurd indicated he had no evidence regarding sentencing, other than what was included in a presentence investigation report, he recommended probation with no jail time, a...
Several defendants either admitted to committing crimes or allowed themselves to be found guilty by pleading no contest when they faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Jan. 31, Plea bargains with Antelope County attorney Joe Smith were announced in five cases, with defendants set for sentencing March 27. Koda Fernau, 19, of Stanton appeared with his court-appointed attorney, Ryan Stover, of Norfolk, charged with a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats, related to . He pleaded guilty to...
A one-day bench trial scheduled for Monday in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh did not occur, due to an 11th hour plea deal. Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale appeared with his attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, facing charges included in a second amended information filed by Antelope County attorney Joe Smith on Oct. 25, 2023, Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, with notation that the charge included the willful reckless operation of the vehicle; Count II, unauthorized use of a propelled...
Residents in Antelope County District 5 will soon know who will serve as their supervisor following the resignation of current supervisor Keith Heithoff. Antelope County Clerk Lisa Payne announced that applications will be reviewed during a public meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., in the commissioners' meeting room at the courthouse in Neligh. County attorney Joe Smith, county treasurer Deb Branstiter and Payne will conduct the interviews. The individual selected must be a...
NOTICE OF PUBLIC NOTICE Antelope County Commissioner District 5 Vacancy Public notice is hereby given that the board of commissioners has determined that the elective office of Antelope County Commissioner District 5 in Antelope County, Nebraska, will be vacant in February 2024. Pursuant to 32-567 Nebraska Revised Statutes, the vacancy will be filled within 45 days from the date of vacancy by appointment by the Antelope County Attorney, Antelope County Clerk and Antelope County Treasurer. Pursuant to Section 23-150 Nebraska Revised Statutes, th...
PUBLIC NOTICE DISTRICT 5 COMMISSIONER INTERVIEWS The Antelope County Board of Commissioners has determined that the elective office of Antelope County Commissioner District 5 in Antelope County, Nebraska, will be vacant in February 2024. Pursuant to 32-567 Nebraska Revised Statutes, the vacancy will be filled within 45 days from the date of vacancy by appointment by the Antelope County Attorney, Antelope County Clerk and Antelope County Treasurer. Pursuant to Section 23-150 Nebraska Revised Statutes, the individual appointed to fill the...
PUBLIC NOTICE Antelope County Commissioner District 5 Vacancy Public notice is hereby given that the board of commissioners has determined that the elective office of Antelope County Commissioner District 5 in Antelope County, Nebraska, will be vacant in February 2024. Pursuant to 32-567 Nebraska Revised Statutes, the vacancy will be filled within 45 days from the date of vacancy by appointment by the Antelope County Attorney, Antelope County Clerk and Antelope County Treasurer. Pursuant to Section 23-150 Nebraska Revised Statutes, the...
Jeffrey A. Reinke, 35, of Omaha faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, Jan. 17, in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh, in a five-year-old case. He was charged with Count I, leave accident, fail to furnish information, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and Count II, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Reinke’s attorney, Gregory Pivovar of Bellevue, had filed a motion to dismiss or discharge, on Jan. 14. He indicated, in the motion, that neither the complaint filed Feb. 26, 2018, nor a warrant issued in May 2018, were ever ser...
Former Neligh chief of police, Michael D. Wright, was fined $500 last week for firing his service weapon and injuring 38-year-old Josie Auld of Norfolk, while on duty in Neligh in May 2022. Wright pleaded no contest to a Class 1 misdemeanor, third-degree assault, when he faced the Honorable Ross Stoffer in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. Wright was represented by Gary Young Jr. of Lincoln and the case was prosecuted by assistant Nebraska Attorney General David Bydalek. The case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol. Bydalek...
Shane Sleister of Oakdale appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week, for trial on an Oakdale nuisance violation, alleged last February on his property at 606 Rath Street. Special village assistant attorney, Joe Smith, had previously offered a deal after some abatement work was completed by the defendant. Smith agreed to dismiss the charge if Sleister paid $50 court costs. Sleister did not comply and the case was set for trial. Sleister, who was self-represented, told the Honorable Donna Taylor that two vehicles that remain...
Denis F. Kerkman, 90, of Tilden appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Jan. 3, for pretrial conference on a charge of violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Kerkman pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Antelope County attorney Joe Smith agreed to recommend probation, with no jail time. Taylor ordered a pretrial investigation and set sentencing Feb. 7. Bond is continued, in the amount of $20,000, 10%, with an order for no contact, neither direct nor...
Since we're writers, we, at SAM love lists. Trust us, we keep and use them every single day. But, how does one determine which articles should be at the top of the yearly list? In the past, we've based it by reader count from our website. This year, we're still relying on reader count, featuring the top-read article by month. We wrote nearly 2,000 articles in 2023 and, while some of our favorites don't appear on the list, we're sure these are a newsworthy representation of the Summerland region....
Robert J. Suhr, 24, of Elgin, faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh, on Dec. 20 for pretrial on two charges, Count I, child abuse, a Class 3A felony, and Count II, third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A plea agreement with Antelope County attorney Joe Smith was announced and Kube re-arraignmed Suhr on charges in a new complaint filed by Smith, specific to Count I, child abuse/neglect, a Class 1 misdemeanor that carries a penalty up to one year imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000...
Christopher W. Robinett, 21, of Neligh appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Dec. 20 for sentencing on two counts committed Aug. 6, burglary of a pickup from Carhart Lumber Co. in Neligh, and driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, as well as resentencing on a 2022 conviction of attempted burglary of the Neligh Vape Shop and Fit Stop. The Honorable James Kube sentenced Robinett to three prison terms, to be served consecutive to each other. In the Carhart burglary case, Robinett was sentenced to serve...
