Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 62
A handful of Holt County residents shared concerns about a proposed CO2 pipeline with supervisors during Holt County's Dec. 30 meeting. Diana Steskal, of Atkinson, said landowners are asking supervisors to research pipelines and Summit Carbon Solutions before making any decisions. "We'd like the supervisors to ask the Summit company for an open public meeting, to inform the citizens about the pipeline and let the citizens ask questions," Steskal said. Construction practices, land reclamation,...
Holt County Supervisors approved Resolution 2021-33, redistricting of the seven supervisor districts, using an equal population, based on the 2020 U.S. Census, during its Dec. 30 meeting, on a 5-1 vote. District seven supervisor, Don Butterfield, cast the dissenting vote. District four supervisor, Scott Keyes, was absent. According to Census results, the population count totals 10,127, which would put 1,447 residents in each district. The biggest concern expressed by Butterfield was losing a por...
Based on the county's comprehensive plan, Holt County supervisors denied a perpetual wetland reserve easement, for Melvin Knox's Bar K Bar , LLC, during a Dec. 16 public hearing, at the courthouse in O'Neill. Supervisor Doug Frahm made the motion, which passed unanimously. Supervisor Dustin Breiner was absent. The hearing, which lasted more than an hour, was a required step, following a Dec. 13 public hearing in front of the county's planning and zoning board. That board voted 6-3 in favor of...
Holt County Supervisors approved two agreements of an opioid ligitation settlement during the board’s Oct. 29 meeting in O’Neill. But how much the county will receive and when the payout will arrive wasn’t immediately clear. According to board chairman Bill Tielke, Holt County Attorney Brent Kelly suggested the county support the ligitation, which started in 2016. At that time, Nebraska joined a compact with a dozen other states, suing pharmaceutical distributors Cardinal, McKesson and Ameri...
Holt County Supervisors denied nuisance claims regarding trees and shrubs growing in the right of way along township-maintained roads at its Sept. 30 meeting in O'Neill. Supervisors spent approximately 55 minutes discussing the issue involving complaints filed against landowners in Rock Falls Township. Supervisor Don Butterfield proposed a resolution which would have spelled out the procedure for townships to recommend which rights of way would need to be cleaned and stipulated the county and...
If a tree grows in the right of way, along a township road, and needs trimmed or removed, who is responsible for tree trimming? Holt County Supervisors listened to public comment on the topic, Thursday, during a public hearing held in the supervisors' room at the Holt County Courthouse in O'Neill. While the hearing focused on written notices, sent by the county attorney's office, to landowners in Rock Falls Township,the question of responsibility first sprouted earlier this year, when the Emmett...
Concerns from landowners about the speed of traffic, traveling on a three-mile stretch of 868 Road, north of Page, were brought to the attention of Holt County supervisors during Monday's meeting in O'Neill. Dan Hanlon, of Page, said people"fly by" at high rates of speed between 501 and 504 avenues. At least three residents along the stretch, who have children and grandchildren, have posted yellow caution signs noting children are in the area. One of the signs, posted by a residence near the int...
Damage from a lightning strike that ignited grassland and spread to a five- to six-mile-wide fire is still being assessed. Holt County Emergency Management director Deb Hilker presented a map of damaged acres and buildings to Holt County Supervisors at the group's June 30 meeting in O'Neill. Hilker said an estimated 6,600 acres were affected. The topographical map is interfaced with a plat map to highlight people and acres affected by the fire, which started June 24, in the river bottom between...
A potential resolution denouncing President Biden's Executive Order 14008, dubbed the 30 x 30 land grab, will have to wait, after Holt County Supervisors tabled the item during Monday's meeting in O'Neill. The executive order, titled "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad," directed the secretary of the interior, secretary of agriculture and other senior officials to devise and submit a plan, by April 27, to conserve 30% of lands and waterways in the United States by 2030. According to...
Holt County Supervisors may declare its support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. and Nebraska constitutions during the governing body's March 16 meeting. Holt County Attorney Brent Kelly told supervisors, during the board's Feb. 26 meeting at the Holt County Courthouse, other counties have passed similar resolutions. "Basically, it's declaring this board's support for the Second Amendment ... If the state passes a law, it would preempt what you're doing. I don't have any problem with you...
Holt County emergency manager, Deb Hilker, provided supervisors with an update about the vaccination process during the board's Jan. 29 meeting at the Holt Count Courthouse. Vaccines developed by Moderna are being distributed in the area. Hilker said the North Central District Health Department requested use of the county's emergency response trailer "to push out the vaccine to the district," beginning the week of Feb. 7. According to Hilker, the vaccine must be kept at a temperature of minus...
Holt County supervisors selected who will fill leadership positions during the board's Jan. 7 meeting. Bill Tielke was re-elected to serve as chairman and Doug Frahm will oversee the board of equalization. Per board policy, when a chairman is absent, the other chairman will preside. Four individuals were reappointed to positions they currently hold, including Gary Connot, road superintendent; Mike Durre, planning and zoning administrator; Deb Hilker, emergency manager and Ken Stenka, veterans...
After approximately 15 years as the Holt County treasurer, Connie Krotter will leave public office and take a position in the private sector. Her resignation will be effective Jan. 15. Krotter submitted a letter of resignation during Monday's Holt County Supervisors meeting. Chairman Bill Tielke read the letter to fellow supervisors. The announcement was met by surprise from members of the board. Krotter said she has been blessed and humbled to serve the county for 15 years. "I worked with a...
Holt County Supervisors approved fixing a drainage issue on the corner of 496 Avenue and 871 road, approximately two miles east of O'Neill. Whether Grattan Township will assist with costs for the upgrade wasn't immediately clear during the board's Oct. 15 meeting at the Holt County Courthouse meeting room. Road superintendent, Gary Connot, said concerns surfaced approximately one and one-half years ago, when homes in the area were impacted by surface and subsurface water. County road department...
Holt County Supervisors tackled a light agenda when they met in regular session, Sept. 16. Holt County Treasurer Connie Krotter presented a list of personal property taxes and asked the governing board for approval to strike three parcels from the county’x tax rolls. Parcels #0010003395, 0450000275 and 10000027, totaling $642.96, were removed due to no property to levy in Holt County, perusant to Nebraska state statute. Steve Boshart made the motion, with a second by Don Hahlbeck. The motion car...
Holt County Supervisors faced a Shakespearean-like conundrum during the group’s Aug. 31 meeting at the Holt County Courthouse. To include $2.5 million, monies promised by TC Energy for a road-use agreement, or not to include that amount in the upcoming road and bridge budget, dominated more than an hour of discussion. Without payment in hand, the proposed levy would cost taxpayers an additional eight pennies, jumping to 36.25 cents, a 31% increase. In the end, supervisors agreed to pursue a $...
Approximately 35 Holt County residents crowded the supervisor’s meeting room and adjoining hallway, Monday, to listen to discussion about whether the county should dissolve townships and move to a seven-member board of commissioners. A motion to the effect, made by Steve Boshart, would have placed the item on the November ballot, giving the people of Holt County the ultimate decision. Prior to the motion being made, supervisors spent more than 90 minutes hashing over the item, which was added t...
Holt County Supervisors spent nearly one hour discussing force spraying, conducted by the Holt County Weed Department, during the board's July 16 meeting. Superintendent Bill Babutzke told the supervisors more than 120 inspections have been completed across the county. One property, consisting of approximatley 900 acres, will require a force spraying for leafy spurge and musk thistles. The price tag could tally between $20,000 and $30,000. "There's not a plane out there that will do it. Not a...
The Holt County supervisors finalized seating of a board of adjustment when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 30. Vice chair Steve Boshart presided, due to the potential for board of adjustment action related to TC Energy matters, with which chairman Bill Tielke has a declared conflict of interest. Clayton Goeke of Atkinson was selected, by written ballot from a pool of three interested citizens, to serve as the alternate board member. Goeke garnered three votes, Cheri Frisch of Atkinson, two, and Tom Schaaf of Lynch, non...
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...
The Holt County supervisors approved hiring a human resource firm when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill on April 16. With all seven supervisors in attendance at the meeting, the leaders voted 5-2 to contract with Zelle Human Resources of Lincoln to provide consulting services for an initial six-month term, after holding a phone conference with Zelle representative Chad Thies. Supervisors Bob Snyder and Don Butterfield voted nay. According to Thies, the firm would update the county’s employee handbook, making sure it is relevant and mak...
Holt County supervisors are considering the engagement of a human resources firm to help navigate employment issues. A telephone conference was held with Chad Thies from Zelle Human Resource Solutions in Lincoln during the March 16 meeting at the courthouse in O'Neill. After hearing what the firm offered in services, chairman Bill Tielke asked Thies to submit a proposal. Supervisor Steve Boshart estimated an annual cost of $36,000 to $40,000. "It will be high," Tielke said. "But the thing is, if...
Effective Monday, March 23, the Holt County courthouse and annex are open to customers by appointment only. Holt County supervisors approved a motion to limit access to the courthouse during an emergency video-conference meeting, March 20. Limited access will be in effect until at least until March 31, when the supervisors will re-evaluate the situation at their regular meeting. The meeting was called after department heads met Thursday to discuss possible procedures to enact. Individuals needing to conduct business with county officials are...
Effective Monday, March 23, the Holt County courthouse and annex are open to customers by appointment only. Holt County supervisors approved a motion to limit access to the courthouse during an emergency video-conference meeting, March 20. Limited access will be in effect until at least until March 31, when the supervisors will re-evaluate the situation at their regular meeting. The meeting was called after department heads met Thursday to discuss possible procedures to enact. Individuals needing to conduct business with county officials are...
Six Holt County supervisors listened as nearly 50 citizens presented testimony last Friday afternoon. A public hearing regarding TC Energy's application for a pipeline construction permit was held in the district courtroom at the Holt County courthouse. Pipeline opponents, from elementary students to 90-year-old grandparents, packed the courtroom, filling approximately 100 seats, and spilled out to the second-floor hallway. Speakers were called in order of sign-up, which had begun in the morning...
