Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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General Election Results - Antelope County President: Harris/Walz (Democrat) Early voting 119 Precincts: 277 Trump/Pence (Pence) Early voting 562 Precincts: 2455 Oliver/ter Maat (Libertarian) Early voting 0 Precincts 11 West/Abdullah (Legal Marijuana Now) Early voting 0 Precincts 6 Stein/Kpadenou (By Petition) Early voting 2 Precincts 0 US Senator Deb Fischer (Republican) Early voting 519 Precincts 2049 Dan Osborn (By Petition) Early voting 156 Precincts 670 US Senator Pete Ricketts (Republican)...
Holt County's road department will receive two new motorgraders following approval from county supervisors at the Sept. 30 meeting in O'Neill. Representatives from Murphy Tractor and NMC CAT presented bids. Murphy Tractor's bid package was for a JD 772G Motorgrader with six-wheel drive and a snow wing, off the state bid, for $487,500, which includes a service agreement for $63,221. NMC's bid was for a 140-15AWD Caterpillar, with snow wing off the Sourcewell quote, for $432,900, which includes a...
Hand counting of election ballots will not take place in Holt County anytime soon, despite a request from citizens made at the Sept. 16 supervisors' meeting in O'Neill. Grace Coleman of Atkinson presented petitions discouraging use of electronic tabulators and encouraging a return to hand counting of ballots at the precinct level. She said individuals from Holt, Boyd, Antelope, Cedar, Knox, Dixon and northern Pierce counties signed the petitions, which were circulated over the summer months....
Holt County Supervisors gave the nod to VRDG, LLC, for construction of a commercial solar conversion system, following a public hearing held Monday in O'Neill. Opponents expressed concerns about setbacks, environmental issues and health concerns, while proponents touted the tax advantages, seeing the system as a way to keep the family farm viable. The 325-megawatt nameplate capacity site will cover 300 Holt County acres, with the balance of construction set to take place in Knox County. It is...
The District 6 shop, located in Stuart, will eventually have a new home. Holt County Supervisors approved the purchase of eight acres, from the village of Stuart, for the project. The county will pay $6,400 per acre. The motion, presented by Darrin Paxton, and seconded by Duane Neiman, passed unanimously, Friday, during the board's regularly-scheduled meeting. Chairman Bill Tielke said the property is located on the north edge of the village, across from the rodeo grounds. A project timeline...
Two Antelope County commissioners will face opponents in the 2024 election. Incumbent Charlie Henery of Neligh, who serves District 4, will face Harlan Brandt, Republican. Matthew Klabenes has filed on the Democrat ticket. In District 2, incumbent Eli Jacob is the lone Republican running. Merlin Bolling, who registered on the Democratic ticket, also filed. One incumbent filed for reelection to the Summerland School Board. Nate Schwager, of Orchard, tossed his hat into the ring again. Three...
Regulations regarding construction and operation of solar energy conversion systems were approved, Friday, when Holt County supervisors met in regular session. County planning and zoning administrator Marv Fritz provided an update via phone. According to Fritz, planning and zoning board members suggested using the property line as the setback because “it’s the cleanest.” “If it’s the property line, it only deals with a house. Any of the other stuff isn’t going to have an effect,” Fritz said. ...
Individuals whose irrigation systems water Holt County roadways may find themselves in hot water. On May 31, supervisors approved to continue enforcment of Nebraska Revised Statute 39-302, regarding sprinkler irrigation systems and water on public roads.Failure to comply with the law may result in a Class IV misdemeanor. Chairman Bill Tielke told supervisors, “What we’ve found is putting names in the minutes is as effective as anything. They don’t like having their names in the paper.” Followi...
Bill Tielke will serve as chairman of Holt County Supervisors, who elected him to the position for 2023 during a statutory session, Jan. 5, at the Holt County Courthouse. Doug Frahm will chair the county's board of equalization. Supervisors approved board of representatives and delegates, as well as committee assignments for 2023, including: • Bonds: Darrin Paxton, Frahm, Tielke; • Bridge: Frahm, Paxton and Scott Keyes; • Claims: Frahm (chair) and the entire board; Courthouse: Frahm, Dusti...
Holt County Supervisors tackled several topics during a regular meeting, May 31, in the supervisors’ room at the Holt County Courthouse in O’Neill. A quick discussion was held about watering of roads. Chairman Bill Tielke mentioned that people are watering their roads with sprinklers. He instructed county clerk, Cathy Pavel, to send a notice out to inform the public that it is against the law to saturate any road: including the use of all sprinklers; it is not limited to just irrigation end gun...
Holt County Supervisors voted unanimously to deny a perpetual easement application for Graham Crowe Ranch, LLC, during its March 16 meeting. Supervisor Doug Frahm was absent. After a Feb. 28 public hearing, supervisors voted to table a decision until the 16th. Prior to the vote, landowner Les Graham told supervisors, “I guess it’s one of those deals we feel we have the right to do it and it would be good for our ranch. I guess it’s up to you guys to make the decision whether we have the right to...
Holt County Supervisors will hold a public hearing, regarding a perpetual conservation easement will be held, Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m., at the courthouse in O'Neill. Chairman Bill Tielke set the date during the board's Jan. 31 meeting after Les Graham, of Graham Crowe Ranch, LLC, told supervisors he would like a public hearing scheduled as soon as possible. "It's been going on for awhile. It's been a month since you've had a chance to look at the easement," Graham said. Supervisor Doug Frahm said...
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...
Holt County Supervisors faced a light agenda, approving two resolutions, during the board’s March 31 meeting in O’Neill. Resolution 2021-10 approves the formation of a COVID American Rescue Plan Fund, following the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act by Congress. The resolution directs the county treasurer to establish the fund. County clerk Cathy Pavel will add the fund to the 2021-2022 budget. Supervisor Doug Frahm made the motion to adopt the resolution and Darrin Paxton seconded the mot...
The voters of Holt County have spoken by casting ballots in the 2020 general election. Important local races, combined with a battle for the White House, brought 78.6% of the county's registered voters to select their choices for leadership positions. County clerk and election commissioner, Cathy Pavel, said of the county's 7,144 registered voters, 5,615 voted. "Early voters totaled 2,163 and 3,462 individuals voted at the polls. Very busy all day with voting," Pavel said. Vote counts for local...
Local races in the 2020 general election may pique voters' attention this year. Holt County voters have until Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m., to request ballots by mail or fax a request to vote early in this year's election. Individuals may request a ballot in person by Nov. 2, at 5 p.m., at the Holt County Clerk's office in O'Neill. Holt County Clerk Cathy Pavel said 1,900 early voting requests have been received, as of Tuesday morning. All early voting ballots must be received by the county...
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...
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...
Three Holt County supervisors agreed, when the leaders met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Thursday, to serve on a committee to look for ways to improve efficiency within the road department. Road superintendent Gary Connot described several recent issues he attributed to lack of training, oversight and accountability. “I personally think we have got to get more oversight, more practical training and more instructions to our motorgrader operators,” he said. “We had a guy this last summer – we had the best set of roads in the county – in a per...
Bill Tielke and Steve Boshart will retain their leadership positions on the Holt County Board of Supervisors. Tielke was re-elected by his peers as chairman of the supervisors, while Boshart was re-elected to chair the board of equalization. Pursuant to traditional policy, the two leaders will serve as vice chair for each other. County clerk Cathy Pavel presided over the election process until a chairman was elected, then turned the gavel over to Tielke for the balance of the annual organization meeting Jan. 9, at the Holt County Courthouse. Pa...
The Holt County supervisors addressed cyber security at their final 2019 meeting. The leaders met Dec. 31 at the courthouse in O'Neill. Steve Anson with Anson Insurance Services was invited, by chairman Bill Tielke, to present information about insuring the county against "hacking" of county computers. Tielke indicated cyber security concerns were raised at a recent convention he had attended. "I don't think it's a matter that we can keep beating around the bush and not doing something about,"...
The final item of business handled by the Holt County supervisors last Thursday afternoon at the courthouse in O'Neill caused some disunity among the leaders. As the supervisors passed time waiting to address an agenda item regarding outside counsel to handle a road-haul agreement with TC Energy, the meeting room filled with about two dozen county residents, many who are facing eminent domain proceedings for pipeline right-of-way easements across their land. While three of those citizens, Bryan...
Each spring and summer, Holt County officials deal with landowners who fail to comply with state statutes addressing watering of roadways, mowing road ditches and trimming trees. During the Holt County Board of Supervisors meeting July 17, at the courthouse in O'Neill, the members voted unanimously to install a new flag warning system to address the continued nuisance of roadways being watered by irrigation systems or other machinery. According to state statute 46-266, no person is permitted to...
