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 65
Three proposals to cover the solution looking for a problem -- voter ID -- have proven to be about as confusing as the proponent’s explanation as to why the idea was necessary. After a lot of listening and a bunch of head scratching, I’m still not convinced. The only thing I know for sure, in Sen. Steve Erdman’s world there would be no mail-in ballots. Tell that to the 11 Nebraska counties that hold mail-only elections right now. Better yet, convince my 85-year -old neighbors that it’s a good idea. I’ve been voting by mail since Covid and...
NORFOLK – One of the last bus drivers in Norfolk begins his day by taking Nancy Stehlik to work. Wrapped in a purple coat and earmuffs, Stehlik inches her walker onto the small bus’s wheelchair lift. Driver Neil Schlecht pushes a button and the lift whirs down, placing Stehlik outside of work. For the rest of the day, he takes seven people to clinics, church and the grocery store. He jokes with riders just as he’s long done as a driver for North Fork Area Transit, the bus service which, until recently, used 35 buses and vans to give as many...
LINCOLN - Nebraskans gathered at the Nebraska State Capitol, Feb. 9, to debate medical marijuana legalization, which has been debated in the state for years. Efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska go back to 2016 when its first bill was presented by former State Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue. Introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, LB588 would establish medical cannabis dispensaries where certified patients could possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. Patients with specific conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, c...
This week saw the Legislature begin the first of two weeks of all-day committee hearings. Traditionally, senators would meet as a body in the morning and split into different committees in the afternoons. However, Speaker Arch wanted to try to front-load the session with hearings so there will be more time for debate later in the session. Therefore, senators will not have an opportunity for floor debate until the week of Feb. 13. Two of my bills are scheduled for a public hearing later this...
Two defendants were arraigned in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh recently, while, in the wake of a pending winter storm, many either had their appearances continued to February or just didn’t show up. One defendant had his case dismissed. Austin R. Bertschinger, 30, of Oakdale appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor on Jan. 18 for arraignment on a count of possession of tramadol, a Class 4 felony alleged Dec. 10. Bertschinger requested court-appointed counsel. After holding an indigency hearing, Taylor appointed Antelope C...
Three bills that would alter Nebraska fire-arm laws were the topic of controversy for four and half hours on Thursday, Jan. 26. Dozens of constituents gathered to testify in front of the Judiciary Committee at the Nebraska State Capitol to testify on separate bills that would, respectively, waive training requirements for concealed carry permits, require suicide awareness training for the same permits and allow off-duty police officers to carry handguns when picking up their children on school...
Student pride – and the graduation rate – are on the upswing at the public school on the Santee Native Reservation. School leaders trace that success to a new effort to teach students the tribe’s culture. For the first time, students are learning Santee Dakota history, language and customs – subjects long ago banned. The new cultural program has boosted attendance and helped the iSanti Community School in Niobrara hit a 100% graduation rate two years running, school leaders say. It hasn’t...
Justin M. Golter, 47, of Orchard appeared in the Antelope County courtroom Nov. 16 on charges alleged Aug. 31 in two cases. He was set for preliminary hearing on a Class 1D felony, possession of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver, more than 10 grams and for pretrial hearing on three Class 1 misdemeanors in the other case, resisting arrest, obstructing officers and obstructing government operations. Taylor granted a defense request to continue the preliminary hearing on the felony to Dec. 7. A plea deal was announced in the misdemeanor...
The farmer was growing impatient. He and dozens of other central Nebraska farmers had gathered for mandatory training in Columbus a few weeks before last Christmas. In response to high nitrate levels, the Lower Loup Natural Resources District had designated a "Phase 3 area." That led to new requirements – like this training to help farmers manage their nitrogen fertilizer use. The farmer didn't like this. He told NRD leaders he had been drinking water containing nitrate at 40 parts per m...
First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to address your group about the proposed planning commission changes. I thought we had killed this a while back and would not hear from the commission until they had a complete plan that had been thoroughly vetted. I have been on quite a few boards in my life. I can appreciate that you are doing what you think is best. I would ask you to consider an additional point of view. • I had a conversation at Elgin a few years back, that sounded like what I believe is happening again here, now. I w...
Dialogue between Antelope County Commissioners and members of the Antelope County Patriot group became contentious, at times, during the Oct. 11 commissioners’ meeting in Neligh. Prior to the Patriots’ presentation, county attorney Joe Abler suggested the board enter executive session to review a letter from Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, regarding clarification of terms in the state’s election statutes. Following executive session, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, audie...
It’s a case that could be ripped from the headlines. Teenager Bill E. Kid is accused of drinking at a party and starting hay bales on fire at McDonald’s farm. Will the jury believe the standout athlete? Or, will justice prevail for farmer who lost everything? Students from Antelope County high schools conducted the mock trial during County Government Day, held Oct. 6 at the courthouse. In addition to the trial, students met elected county officials, toured the law enforcement center and att...
Antelope County Commissioners tackled multiple agenda items when they met in regular session, Aug. 2, in Neligh. One promotional and one improvement grant request were approved. A promotional grant request for $242.50 was received from the Orchard Community Club. Funds were used for Orchard Free Celebration Days. Commissioner Eli Jacob moved to accept the request; commissioner Dean Smith made the second. All voted in favor. The second grant request was an improvement grant for $1,750 from Oakdal...
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...
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...
VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER ORDINANCE NO. 2022-8 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGE FOR NEW AND RETURNING SUMMER HELP, BEGINNING MAY 9, 2022; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND VILLAGE BOARD OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA: SECTION 1. That there be and hereby is an established wage for new and returning summer maintenance help, as follows: New summer employees: $12.00 per hour Returning summer employees: $13.00 per hour...
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...
Haiden M. Sleister, 18, of Tilden appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on April 6, to be sentenced for the assault of a county road worker last fall. The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced Sleister to one year in the Antelope County Jail for third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, with credit for 25 days previously served. He was sentenced to a concurrent 30 days in the county jail and his driver’s license was revoked for one year for willful reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and was taxed $60 costs of prosecution. S...
A new event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park, a new boat launch near the village of Niobrara and expanding the Weigand Marina at Lewis and Clark State Recreational Area, are one step closer to reality, as the Legislature gave first-round approval to LB 1023 on a 29-4 vote. LB 1023 carries out the recommendations of the State Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource Sustainability (STAR WARS) Special Committee, of which I am a member. The bill also includes funding for road...
The public hearing process is now complete. A hearing was held on every bill that was introduced before the committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter. The Legislature began meeting in full-day sessions March 8. The following week, we will begin meeting into the evenings, in order to complete our work by April 20. On Monday of this past week, senators focused on consent calendar bills. Consent calendar is a process to allow noncontroversial bills, without priority status, to be debated...
The Nebraska Press Association has launched a new public website to provide greater public access and notification to the workings of all government entities and courts in Nebraska. The website – www.nepublicnotices.com – is a cooperative effort of all Nebraska newspapers and is managed through the NPA. The free-access website was initiated in June 2021. Currently, more than 90,000 notices are on the site and more are posted each day. Notices are fully searchable by keyword, type of notice, by...
The Honorable Donna Taylor continued two cases in the Antelope County court in Neligh last Wednesday, due to a health-related lockdown at the county jail. A pretrial hearing for Jonathyn M. Gunderson, 32, of Neligh, on seven counts alleged Nov. 9, is continued to Jan. 5. Gunderson, who was in custody, did not appear personally. The Antelope County Jail was “in lockdown due to Covid issues,” according to a court document. Bond in the amount of $3,000, 10% cash, is continued as well. Additionally, Taylor ordered that Gunderson be released fro...
Warrants were issued by the Honorable Donna Taylor for two defendants who failed to appear in the Antelope County court last Wednesday, Nov. 17. Angela Flores, of Neligh failed to appear for a bench trial on a City of Neligh junk ordinance violation alleged Aug. 1. Taylor issued a warrant for Flores’ arrest, with a $1,500, 10% bond, after a motion was filed by Joe McNally on behalf of the city. McNally testified Flores had called his office 20 minutes prior to the scheduled trial, indicating she had to work. The attorney alleged he had seen h...
Jennifer A. Blevins, 35, of Pierce, who was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on a Class 4 felony count, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, alleged May 14 north of Oakdale, waived her right to the hearing and was bound over to Antelope County district court by the Honorable Donna Taylor last week. She is set for arraignment in district court Sept. 29. Bond, posted May 15, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, was continued. She is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa. A motion for continuance,...
