Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska March 14, 2023 Chairman opened the meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved payroll. Approved vendor claims. General: AMERITAS LIFE INS CORP ins 17,547.81; ANTELOPE CO COURT ex 384.00; APPEARA ex 34.70; APPLIED CONNECTIVE TECH ex 7,795.69; BLACK HILLS ENERGY ut 2,678.24; BCBS ins 64,742.94; OLTJENBRUNS INC ex 4,610.43; BOMGAARS ex 35.96; BUTCH'S BODY SHOP ex 259.00; CARHART LUMBER ex 45.99; CARNEY LAW ex 6,123.00; CITY OF NELIGH ut...
The schedule of morning debate on the floor and afternoon public hearings continues for a few more weeks. At times, the days seem long, but soon the Legislature will begin all-day debate before finally adjourning later this spring. Three of my bills were heard in committee last week. On Tuesday, LB 453 and LB 454 were heard before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. LB 453 would allow the Nebraska Department of Transportation to change how the administrative costs of the Divisio...
Four defendants were each given six-month terms of probation and fines for DUI convictions when they appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week. Raymundo Popocatl Perez, 32, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on three counts, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, speeding (78 mph in 65 zone), an infraction; and Count III, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Burdick sentenced Popocatl Perez to a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine...
We are now past the one-third mark of this 90-day legislative session but still have a great deal of work to do. The various standing committees are busy holding public hearings on the 820 bills and 22 substantive resolutions that were introduced in January. We have around four more weeks of hearings yet to go. Thus far, two of my bills have been presented before committees. The week began with Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican delivering the State of the Judiciary address...
Michael Hansen, 36, of Stanton appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 16, for pretrial hearing on a charge of obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor. In an unusual interpretation of the charge, Antelope County attorney Joe Smith amended the charge to second-degree trespassing, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and recommended a fine only at sentencing, in return for Hansen’s guilty plea. The charge had a potential penalty of up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Taylor f...
A Colorado man and an area teenager were both sentenced to jail last Wednesday, Feb. 22, by the Honorable James Kube when he presided from the Antelope County district court bench at the courthouse in Neligh. Both men requested probation sentences so they could take advantage of treatment for substance addiction. Although Kube ruled neither was a candidate for probation, he told them he would give them an opportunity for the structure and treatment options afforded by post-release supervision by the probation office. Both were given 18 months...
While residents residing north of Clearwater don't have to ford the Elkhorn River to reach town, surface conditions of 516 Avenue, the main artery bridging highways 275 and 20 from south to north, have "deteriorated to conditions from 100 years ago." That's the sentiment expressed to Antelope County Commissioners by multiple Clearwater residents. "Has the road got any better in the last 100 years? That thing is back to the century of covered wagon days. Am I wrong or right?" Curt Thiele asked...
Barbara Youngblood, 42, O’Neill, appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week for a pretrial hearing on Count I, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged Set. 24, 2022. “I would like to go to trial,” Youngtree told the judge. Taylor set the case for jury trial March 27 and issued instructions to attorneys. A status report filed by Antelope County atorney Joe Smith in January estimates trial will last one to two d...
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...
Late last week I learned of my appointment to three special committees: justice reinvestment oversight, state-tribal relations, and statewide tourism and recreation water access and resource sustainability. I am pleased to both be the vice chair of State-Tribal Relations (Committee) and be able to provide the 40th District with continued representation on the STAR WARS Committee. As a member, I hope to bring the proposed event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park, boat launch near the...
The sign on the backpack explains it all. Walking across America. Stephen Ashworth, a Terrell, Texas, native, estimates he's traveled more than 26,000 miles by foot. "I'm a traveler," he said. Ashworth ventured through the Summerland region last week, stopping in Clearwater, Wednesday. He dropped his gear at the village's park, pulled out his super cat stove - a well-worn cat food can - added fuel - HEET gas-line antifreeze works best - and placed a titanium pot on it to heat water for a Cup of...
Jericho D. Neal, 24, of Atkinson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Jan. 10 to be sentenced for several crimes committed last spring - including Count II, a Class 1 misdemeanor, procuring alcohol to a minor; three Class 3 misdemeanors, Count IV, possession/discharge illegal fireworks, Count V, shooting highway signs, Count VI, shooting wildlife from highway; and Count VII, an infraction, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Burdick sentenced Neal to a 12-month term of probation, including $...
Dustin G. Carman, 29, of Neligh faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Dec. 20, for a change of plea hearing and sentencing on a Class W misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense. Carman’s attorney, John Green of Omaha appeared telephonically. Burdick sentenced Carman to a $500 fine, seven days in the Holt County Jail, suspended until Dec. 24, with credit for one day previously served, and revoked his driver’s license for six months. He was taxed $105 costs of prose...
Five of seven defendants who were set for arraignment Dec. 7 faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. Two others were truant. Madison County attorney Joe Smith represented the state as prosecutor. Smith said he was covering for Antelope County attorney Joe Abler, who was absent due to illness. “I am not sure how long that illness will last,” Smith said. Roland Hurtig, 61, of Orchard appeared for arraignment on Count I, a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense; and two inf...
The Honorable Kale Burdick sentenced four individuals when he presided from the Holt Count court bench in O’Neill on Dec. 6, three of them for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kalah M. Bergmann, 38, of Gretna was sentenced to a $500 fine, 10 days in the county jail, an 18-month term of probation and her driver’s license was revoked for 18 months for DUI (.08), second offense, a Class W misdemeanor. The jail time is deferred until Dec. 27 and she was given credit for one day previously served. Bergmann was taxed $115 costs of prosecution...
Two defendants waived their rights to preliminary hearings on felony charges in the Holt County court when they faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the O’Neill courtroom Dec. 6. William D. Liermann, 63, of O’Neill filed a written waiver of his right to preliminary hearing. He is charged with five felony counts - counts I and II, delivery of a controlled substance (oxycodone), Class 2 felonies; Count III, possession of a controlled substance (heroin), a Class 4 felony; Count IV, possession of a deadly weapon (knife) by a prohibited person, a C...
Simon M. Beacom, 20, of Omaha, was scheduled for a bench trial Dec. 7, on two Class 3 misdemeanor counts alleged June 24 – Count I, minor in possession of alcohol (age 19/20) and Count II, misrepresenting his age to obtain liquor, as well as a count of violating probation that was ordered for his conviction of similar offenses last spring. A plea deal was announced. Beacom withdrew his not guilty pleas and pleaded guilty to Count I, in return for the prosecutor dismissing Count II in the current case. Beacom also admitted the probation v...
CORTLAND – It's five days before the big day. The Model A dashes down West Fourth Street. Its driver pulls up to a brick storefront and strolls inside, jaunty, dressed in his Sunday best. The black-and-white scene turns technicolor, like a Gage County "Pleasantville," as a brunette with cherry red lips leans in with a coffee pot and winks. Welcome to Paper Moon Pastries, the 1930s-style small-town bakery inspired by a classic movie – its public introduction captured by drone and iPhone. Tha...
The Honorable Kale Burdick handed down several sentences during recent Holt County court sessions held at the Holt County courthouse in O'Neill. Tyler C. Bain, 40, of Newport was sentenced to concurrent jail sentences in two cases Nov. 15. He was sentenced to 365 days in the Holt County jail for a Class 1 misdemeanor committed April 1, third-degree domestic assault. Credit was given for 17 days previously served. Bain pleaded no contest Sept. 20, pursuant to a plea bargain. In return, Holt...
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...
Curtis E. Bolli, 38, of O’Neill was committed to the Holt County Jail after he appeared for sentencing in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Nov. 1. He was sentenced on two counts, Count I, third-degree domestic assault, and Count II, second-degree false imprisonment, both Class 1 misdemeanors committed Aug. 7 in O’Neill. Bolli was sentenced to concurrent 30-day terms of imprisonment, to begin Nov. 7, and he was taxed $60 costs of prosecution. David A. Hespe, 40, of Papillion was also sentenced to tw...
Presiding from the bench of the Antelope County court in Neligh on Nov. 2, the Honorable Donna Taylor bound two defendants over to the Antelope County district court on felony charges and handed down sentences to several individuals for misdemeanor convictions. Brent A. Jonas, 45, and Christina M. Jonas, 37, of Sioux City Iowa, were both scheduled for preliminary hearings. They both waived their rights to the hearings. Taylor bound the cases over to the district court, where they are scheduled for arraignment Nov. 30. They each face two counts...
The Honorable Kale Burdick handed fines, license revocations and probation sentences to several defendants who were convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, when he presided from the bench of the Holt County court in O’Neill on Nov. 1. Lane F. Ebsen, 20, of O’Neill appeared in front of Burdick for sentencing on two counts, Count I, driving under the influence of drugs, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana, less than one ounce, an infraction. Burdick placed Ebsen on probation for 12 months, inc...
Edward D. Lundstrom, 65, of Stanton appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County court in Neligh on Nov. 2, for arraignment on allegations of a two-year old crime. He is charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor charge, second-degree trespassing, alleged Nov. 18, 2020. If convicted, Lundstrom faces up to a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail. He pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Dec. 7. Bond posted Oct. 17, in the amount of $1,500, 10% cash is continued. Lundstrom had failed to appear for...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska Nov. 1, 2022 Chairperson opened meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved minutes of the 10-11-2022 BOC and BOE Meeting. Correspondence was reviewed. Met in executive session for personnel reasons, pending litigation, and claims adjuster information. Zoning administrator report. Heard updates on CAV. Approved administrative plat. Approved year-end certification of highway superintendent and resolution, approved National Functional...
