Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 459
The Honorable Donna Taylor, presiding from the Antelope County court bench in Neligh on Nov. 15, continued arraignment or further arraignment procedures for several defendants. Denis F. Kerkman, 90, of Tilden appeared for further arraignment on a charge of violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged Oct. 13. Kerkman, who had been granted a continuance Nov. 1, so he could hire an attorney, appeared without one. He requested court-appointed counsel. After questioning him about his income, Taylor appointed Antelope County public...
Austin Bertschinger, 30, of Omaha appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Nov. 15, to explain why he hadn’t paid a fine and costs ordered Aug. 2, for a December 2022 crime. He said he had lost his job. A time-payment warrant had been issued Nov. 8, after he failed to appear in court on Nov. 1. He was arrested Nov. 14 in Lancaster County and transported to Neligh. He posted 10% of a $1,500 bond. Taylor amended the bond to a $150 cash bond and applied it to his unpaid balance. She gave him u...
A charge against a Clearwater man was dismissed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith on Oct. 25. Zane Herley, 23, of Clearwater, was set for pretrial hearing Nov. 1 and trial Nov. 17 in the Antelope County court, on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (allegedly provided a Jell-O alcohol shot to 18-year-old minor), a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged June 24 in Clearwater. According to a document filed by Smith, the reason for dismissal was that law enforcement did not preserve the evidence. Smith also dismissed a minor in...
A Neligh couple, whose June 29 argument became physical, were each sentenced to seven days in jail for counts of third-degree assault, by mutual consent. Plea agreements had been negotiated with Antelope County attorney Joe Smith by the respective court-appointed attorneys for Melissa A. Murberger, 48, represented by Martin Klein of Neligh, and Ronald E. Murberger, 48, represented by public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk. The agreement included staggered jail sentences so one of them would be available to care for their children and Smith’s a...
Two defendants waived their rights to preliminary hearings when they appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Nov. 1. Max S. Kerkman, 34, of Oakdale appeared with his lawyer, Brad Montag of Norfolk, on a pair of Class 4 felony drug charges, possession of methamphetamine and oxycodone. Taylor bound the case over to the Antelope County district court, where Kerkman is set for arraignment Nov. 29. Bond is continued at $20,000, 10% cash. Kerkman was arrested following a June 6 federal probation...
Ryan Brummels, 22, of Ewing, changed his plea to guilty to first-degree sexual assault when he appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last week. Brummels, who is represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, appeared Oct. 25 for pretrial hearing on the charge, a Class 2 felony committed Dec. 26, 2022. A plea agreement was announced. In exchange for Brummels agreement to plead guilty, Antelope County attorney Joe Smith agreed to make no recommendation at sentencing and to file no...
Jay L. Herrera, 22, of Vermillion, South Dakota, failed to appear in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last week for a pretrial hearing on a charge of making terroristic threats, a Class 3 felony alleged June 7 in Neligh. His court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, asked the judge to continue the hearing. Klein said he had no way to contact his client but he had talked to the defendant’s “now ex-girlfriend,” who told him Herrera has no phone. Smith objected. The Honorable James Kube denied the request, revoked Herre...
The Honorable James Kube handed two defendants, who had been convicted of two misdemeanor counts apiece after accepting plea deals in August, concurrent 18-month probation sentences during the Oct. 25 session of Antelope County district court at the courthouse in Neligh. They were also informed of their right to petition the court to have their convictions set aside after successful completion of their probation. Jordan Knievel, 22, of Neligh faced Kube for sentencing on two Class 1 misdemeanors, third-degree assault and obstruction of a peace...
While neighboring state's officials wait to make decisions on permits for a proposed carbon-capture pipeline, Antelope County Planning and Zoning Commission members voted 6-1 to approve a conditional use permit for Summit Carbon Solutions. Bob Krutz cast the lone vote to deny the permit when the commission reconvened, Oct. 12. A public hearing for the CUP was originally held Sept. 14. During discussion after the hearing, commission members voted to continue the meeting to Oct. 5. At that...
"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories." You could almost hear the most famous two lines from TV's crime drama "Law and Order" before the case of Bill E. Kid began, Oct. 5, at the Antelope County Courthouse. The mock trial is a yearly tradition during County Government Day. Kid is accused of drinking at a party...
Whether or not Antelope County Planning and Zoning Commission approves a conditional use permit for a proposed carbon-capture pipeline will wait until Thursday, at the earliest. The group is set to reconvene, Oct. 12, at 3 p.m., in the commissioners' meeting room, to discuss approval or to deny the permit. Public comment will not be heard since that portion of the process closed when the commission met Sept. 14. Chairman Greg Wortman said he had been contacted by a member of the public who...
Shane A. Sleister, 49, of Oakdale faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope Count courtroom in Neligh on Oct. 4, for arraignment on two counts, Count I, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count II, driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor. If convicted, Sleister faces up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year incarceration on Count I and up to $500/90 days on Count II. Sleister requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney and set further arraignment Nov. 1. Bond is continued,...
The Honorable Donna Taylor, presiding from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Oct. 4, found enough evidence to bind an Elgin man over to the district court on an allegation of felony child abuse. Robert J. Suhr, 26, of Elgin faced Taylor, alongside his attorney, Brad Ewalt of Norfolk, for a preliminary hearing on the Class 3A felony alleged Sept. 2, in Elgin. A bond hearing was held with Taylor again denying a defense request to amend a condition for no contact with the juvenile victim’s mother or her two children, e...
Linda Mack of Elgin appeared for trial on five counts of violating Neligh’s dangerous building ordinance last week in the Antelope County courtroom. Mack had waived her right to counsel and pleaded not guilty, when she was arraigned Aug. 2, to a single count of maintaining a dangerous building in the city, alleged “on or about the 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9th day of June.” In the meantime, on Aug. 16, Neligh city attorney James McNally filed an amended complaint, separating the charge to five individual counts. After hearing testimony and revie...
"It's bumpy, it's dusty and it's horrible." That's how Clearwater resident Chellie Dixon described an approximate 100-yard section of East Nebraska Street, when talking with Antelope County Commissioners, Tuesday, that county road crew members "ground down" in 2020, According to Antelope County road boss, Aaron Boggs, county officials spoke with Clearwater trustees that year to discuss plans about that particular stretch of road and 516 Avenue, from Highway 275, north to the first bridge. The...
A man accused of a high-speed flight and crash on a stolen Polaris Razor in downtown Neligh, following the city’s 150th birthday/Old Mill Days celebration, had another felony charged added last week. Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale faced the Honorable James Kube on Sept. 27, for pretrial hearing on Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony bound over from county court and Count II that was direct filed in district court last month, theft by unlawful taking, greater than $5,000, a Class 2A felony; as well as a...
A Randolph man was recently sentenced to serve one year in the Antelope County Jail and fined $1,000 for his latest conviction of domestic assault Brennon J. Coleman, 39, previously of Neligh, was given credit for 15 days already served and was taxed $204.71 costs of prosecution when he faced the Honorable James Kube on Sept. 27. During the sentencing hearing, Coleman, who had pleaded no contest in July, contended he had not hit the victim. When asked by the judge if he recalled the incident, he answered, “Absolutely.” And, when asked why, he...
Two Antelope County women saw their felony district court cases resolved Sept. 27 by plea agreements when they faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh. Kaitlyn C. Dozler, 23, of Norfolk faced Kube for pretrial hearing on a Class 2A felony count, fourth-offense driving under the influence of alcohol, .15 grams or more. Dozler changed her plea to guilty and Antelope County attorney Joe Smith agreed to file no additional charges in the case. An enhancement hearing was held, with Kube finding Dozler’s prev...
PROCEEDINGS FOR BUDGET HEARING, TAX REQUEST HEARING, REGULAR MEETING VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES September 11, 2023 The board of trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a budget hearing Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Hearing opened at 7 p.m. Notice of hearing was given in advance by publication in "Summerland Advocate-Messenger," was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of...
Christopher W. Robinett, 20, appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Sept 6, set for preliminary hearing on a Class 2A felony burglary charge. Robinett, accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, waived his right to the preliminary hearing and Taylor bound the case over to the Antelope County district court, where he is set for arraignment Sept. 27. Bond is continued, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash. Shane L. Krebs, 52, of Clearwater faced Taylor for sentencing...
The Honorable Donna Taylor, presiding from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Sept. 6, denied both a prosecution motion to revoke bond and an alleged victim's request to amend the bond conditions. Robert J. Suhr, 26, of Elgin faced Taylor, alongside his attorney, Brad Ewalt of Norfolk, on a child abuse charge. If convicted of the Class 3A felony, Suhr faces up to three years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. He requested preliminary hearing, which Taylor set for Oct....
Taylor Schwager, 36, of Orchard appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh, Aug.30, with his attorney, Ron Temple. Taylor was charged with violating provisions of his post-release supervision. Temple asked for continuance, telling the judge he expected resolution by dismissal. He said no charges had yet been filed in Lancaster County for an alleged DUI. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith did not object. “I anticipate dismissal,” he said. Kube continued arraignment to Sept. 27, unless the...
The Honorable Donna Taylor set trial dates in five Antelope County court cases when she presided at the bench in the Neligh courtroom Sept. 6. Kami M. Ash, 29, of Wood River faced Taylor for arraignment on a count of driving under revocation, a Class 2 misdemeanor alleged July 21. Ash waived her right to counsel for arraignment proceedings. She pleaded not guilty, telling the judge her license was not suspended on July 21. She asked for a trial to the court, which Taylor set for Oct. 4. Shane Sleister, 48, of Oakdale is set for trial Nov. 1,...
Three defendants, who had previously waived their rights to preliminary hearings in county court, were set for arraignment in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh, last week, by the Honorable James Kube. Two entered pleas and had pretrial hearings set while a third had his arraignment delayed after he tested positive for THC. Jay L. Herrera, 22, of Vermillion, South Dakota, appeared in front of Kube on a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats, alleged June 7 in Neligh. However, after arraignment proceedings began, Antelope County...
Two defendants entered guilty pleas to amended charges when they faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Aug. 30. Ethan Moses, 20, of Chambers faced Kube, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, charged with a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats and Count II, intimidation by telephone call, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged April 1. Carney announced a plea agreement had been reached. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith filed an amended complaint, charging Moses with two...
