Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 101 - 125 of 261
Several cases that came before the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last week were resolved by plea agreements with Antelope County attorney Joe Abler. Sammie M. Diaz, 44, of Clovis, New Mexico, appeared with his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, for pretrial hearing on a Class 3 felony, theft, more than $1,500. Klein announced the plea deal. Diaz pleaded guilty to the charge as alleged. In return, Abler agreed to file no additional charges related to the case and to recommend probation or 360 days in...
Denis F. Kerkman, 89, of Tilden faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 17, to be arraigned on a Class 1 misdemeanor, violation of a protection order. If convicted, Kerkman faces a potential penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment. Kerkman requested court-appointed counsel, specifically asking for Martin Klein. Taylor initially appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, but as Kerkman appeared to misunderstand her multiple times, she finally asked Abler if he had any...
Haiden M. Sleister, 18, of Tilden faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh for further arraignment on two counts alleged between March 19 and April 6, Count I, possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2A felony, and Count II, theft, $500-$1,499, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Sleister waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and Count I was bound over to Antelope County district court, where he was set for arraignment Aug. 31. Count II was dismissed without prejudice, to be refiled in district court at the...
A 47-year-old Orchard man, who had been released from jail after posting 10% of a $50,000 bond in November 2021, was back in custody shortly after his case was heard in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Justin M. Golter pleaded guilty to a Class 1D felony, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, pursuant to a plea deal with Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler. In return, Abler dismissed three Class 4 felony allegations, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of theft by...
Lisa M. Dugal, 56, of Neligh, accompanied by her court-appointed attorney, Kyle Peterson, appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 17, for sentencing on a probation violation. Antelope County attorney Joe Abler asked the judge to look at a probation update, to note the number of missed probation/testing appointments. He said she hadn’t showed up since July, or maybe June. He reminded Taylor that Dugal’s false report to Neligh police officers caused the man she resided with to spend tim...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people after finding over 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an investigation, Wednesday, near Winside. The incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m., when residents of rural Winside reported two suspicious individuals going through their property. Troopers responded and contacted both individuals. During the investigation, troopers discovered both individuals were in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Troopers also...
Matthew J. Wright, 48, of Oakdale appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor, in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week for arraignment on three counts alleged July 2 in Oakdale, child abuse, a Class 3A felony, and two counts of first-degree assault, Class 1 misdemeanors. A bond review hearing was held. Taylor reduced Wright’s bond, from $25,000, 10% cash, to $10,000, 10%, with condition for no contact, directly nor indirectly, with his stepchildren. She also required him to obtain written permission to “live with any...
An Alliance woman made an unsuccessful attempt to fight a speeding ticket in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Aug. 3. Jane E. Fletcher, 55, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor for trial on an infraction charge of exceeding the posted speed limit by 25 miles per hour. Fletcher, who was self-represented, testified for the defense and Nebraska State Patrol trooper Mora Tighe was called to the witness stand for the prosecution. Taylor found the defendant guilty and fined her $200 and taxed her $49 costs. In a July 1 written not...
The Honorable Mark Johnson presided over the Antelope County district court through videoconference last Wednesday, July 27, sentencing two defendants and ordering a warrant be issued for a third who did not appear for sentencing as ordered. William L. Knievel appeared in the Neligh courtroom to be sentenced on four counts committed March 29 near the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh. Johnson rejected both a recommendation included in a presentence report prepared by the Nebraska...
Jacob J. Dobias, 33, of Stuart waived his right to preliminary hearing when he appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Tuesday, July 19. Holt County attorney Brent Kelly filed a complaint June 9, charging Dobias with first-degree sexual assault of a child, a Class 1B felony alleged July 2, 2021. The complaint states the defendant, “being 25-years of age or older, subjected the victim, who was at least 12 years of age but less than 16 years of age, to sexual penetration.” He is set for arrai...
Michael F. Doty, 29, of Page faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County court in Neligh last Wednesday, July 6, on two Class 3A felony counts of making terroristic threats and a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, all alleged June 28 in Orchard. If convicted of the crimes, Doty faces up to $10,000 fines and/or three years of incarceration for each of the felony counts and up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days for the misdemeanor. Doty requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender...
Tyson A. Belitz, 23, of Neligh appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, July 6, alongside his attorney, Jeff Doerr of Neligh. He faced the Honorable Donna Taylor for arraignment on a Class 3 misdemeanor, reckless driving, first offense, committed June 4 in Neligh. Belitz pleaded guilty. He faces up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail and up to a one-year revocation of his driver’s license. Taylor questioned Belitz about the offense, asking if alcohol was involved. Belitz admitted he had consumed alcohol. The j...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska July 5, 2022 Chairman opened meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved minutes of the June 28, 2022, BOC and June 28, 2022, BOE meetings. Correspondence was reviewed. Zoning permit report, clerk of district court report for June were presented. Zoning administrator report. No actions. Quarterly jail inspection. Authorized clerk to advertise for FEMA mitigation. Public Hearing – closed 844.5 Road between 528th and 529th Avenues. R...
Darryl Lierman, 55, who is serving what could be called a life sentence at the Nebraska Department of Corrections penitentiary in Tecumseh for the sexual assault and abuse of his adopted daughter, was back in the Neligh courtroom last Wednesday, June 29. The Honorable Mark Johnson, earlier in June, ordered Lierman be transported to the Antelope County Jail the previous day and returned to Tecumseh after the hearing. Lierman sat in front of the Antelope County District Court judge with his court-appointed attorney, Mike Moyer of Madison, asking...
The Honorable Mark Johnson sentenced two defendants last week when he presided from the bench in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh. Casandra L. Howell, 38, of Trinidad, Colorado, was sentenced for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, to an 18-month term of probation, including a $30 enrollment fee and $90 in drug-testing fees. Programing fees of $450 were waived by the judge. Terms of probation also include 90 days in the county jail, less credit for 19 days previously served, the balance to be served prior to...
An inmate at the Antelope County Jail, who was recently evaluated by a mental health professional, has been found competent to stand trial. Steven H. Habegger, 18, appeared in Antelope County district court, with his attorney, Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, for the third time. He was arraigned on four counts, a Class 3A felony, child abuse, alleged Feb. 10 at a Neligh motel, along with three Class 1 misdemeanors, contributing to delinquency of a child, debauching a minor and cruel mistreatment of an animal. Habegger...
Xavier W. Hobbs, 20, of Ewing appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, May 18, in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. He was set for pretrial hearing on two counts, Count I, willful reckless driving, first offense; and Count II, minor in possession of alcohol, age19/20, both Class 3 misdemeanors. A plea agreement was announced. Antelope County attorney Joe Abler reduced Count I to reckless driving, still a Class 3 misdemeanor, and Hobbs pleaded guilty to both counts. Taylor sentenced Hobbs to 15 days in the Antelope...
Pepper W. Marchant, 23, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom May 18 for a violation of probation hearing and a request to waive an upcoming jail sanction. Marchant requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk. The case is continued to June 1. Information to revoke probation, filed by Antelope County attorney Joe Abler on May 16, alleges Marchant violated a condition of probation to refrain from unlawful conduct, when...
Presiding from the bench in the Antelope County District Court in Neligh on April 27, the Honorable Mark Johnson sustained a motion by public defender Pat Carney, calling for examination and evaluation by a licensed psychiatrist or clinical psychologist to determine the mental capacity of a defendant to stand trial. According to Carney’s motion, the examination is necessary to determine whether his client, Steven H. Habegger, 18, who remains in custody at the Antelope County Jail, has a rational and factual understanding of the proceedings agai...
The Honorable Mark Johnson presided over the arraignment of several defendants Wednesday, April 27, in the Antelope County district court in Neligh, including three teenagers charged in connection with March 21 break-ins at two Neligh businesses, Neligh Vape Shop and the Fit Stop. Trinity Graham, 18, accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, pleaded not guilty to counts I and II, burglary, Class 2A felonies, and Count III, a Class 4 felony, theft by unlawful taking, more than $1,500. Jury trial is set July 18, with a...
Brian G. Tibbens, 51, of Elgin, appeared in front of the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, April 27, for a restitution hearing and sentencing on a Class 2A felony, first-degree assault. Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler called Cynthia Cadena to the witness stand. Cadena testified that her husband, Frank Cadena, the victim of Tibbens’ assault, had been unable to work, going without pay for two weeks following the September 2021 assault. She also answered questions regarding medical b...
Andrew F. Sternberg, 32, of Creighton faced the Honorable Donna Taylor, on Wednesday, April 20, in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on a Class 2A felony, theft by unlawful taking, more than $5,000, alleged Feb. 23. Sternberg waived his right to preliminary hearing and was bond over to the Antelope County district court, where he was set to appear for arraignment April 27. Taylor reduced bond to $25,000, 10% cash. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk on April 18. Taylor signed a warrant for Sternberg...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over arraignment of several defendants in the Antelope County court in Neligh on April 20. Richard C. Jelich Jr., 27, of Neligh faced Taylor on five counts alleged April 16 in Neligh. He is charged with a Class 2 felony, second-degree assault of a peace officer; three Class 1 misdemeanors, obstruct a police officer, resist arrest and obstruct government operations; and a Class 3 misdemeanor, disturbing the peace. Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa was appointed by Taylor on April 18 and bond...
Arraignment procedures were continued in two Antelope County district court cases, March 30. Steven H. Habegger, 18, Antelope County Jail, appeared, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, in the Neligh courtroom March 30. He is charged with a Class 3A felony count of child abuse, alleged Feb. 10 at a Neligh motel, along with three Class 1 misdemeanors, contributing to delinquency of a child, debauching a minor and cruel mistreatment of an animal. The Honorable Mark Johnson advised Habegger of his rights and discussed potential...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska April 5, 2022 Chairman opened meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved minutes of the March 8, 2022, commissioner meeting. Correspondence was reviewed. Monthly zoning permit report and clerk of the district court report was reviewed. Zoning administrator report. Approved one administrative plat. Will advertise for update of Comprehensive Plan. Authorized clerk to advertise for bids on micro-surfacing projects. Authorized highway...
