Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 201
The Honorable Donna Taylor set trial dates in five Antelope County court cases when she presided at the bench in the Neligh courtroom Sept. 6. Kami M. Ash, 29, of Wood River faced Taylor for arraignment on a count of driving under revocation, a Class 2 misdemeanor alleged July 21. Ash waived her right to counsel for arraignment proceedings. She pleaded not guilty, telling the judge her license was not suspended on July 21. She asked for a trial to the court, which Taylor set for Oct. 4. Shane Sleister, 48, of Oakdale is set for trial Nov. 1,...
Three defendants, who had previously waived their rights to preliminary hearings in county court, were set for arraignment in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh, last week, by the Honorable James Kube. Two entered pleas and had pretrial hearings set while a third had his arraignment delayed after he tested positive for THC. Jay L. Herrera, 22, of Vermillion, South Dakota, appeared in front of Kube on a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats, alleged June 7 in Neligh. However, after arraignment proceedings began, Antelope County...
Two defendants entered guilty pleas to amended charges when they faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Aug. 30. Ethan Moses, 20, of Chambers faced Kube, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, charged with a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats and Count II, intimidation by telephone call, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged April 1. Carney announced a plea agreement had been reached. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith filed an amended complaint, charging Moses with two...
A Neligh woman and a South Dakota man were back in Antelope County courtroom in Neligh recently on charges related to an alleged conspiracy to steal wire from center pivot irrigation systems in Antelope County and perhaps in other counties, according to Antelope County attorney Joe Smith. “I anticipate charges in other counties,” Smith told the judge. Kailee M. Davis, 37, of Neligh, appeared in front of the honorable Donna Taylor on Aug. 16 for preliminary hearing on one count, tampering with physical evidence, a Class 4 felony alleged Jul...
Earlene F. Jensen, 81, of Royal faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 16, for sentencing on a Village of Orchard ordinance violation - maintaining a dangerous building (105 North Windom Street), a Class 4 misdemeanor committed in November 2022. The case was prosecuted by Orchard village attorney Joseph McNally of Neligh. Jensen read from a list of repairs she and her son had completed. McNally testified he had visited the site that morning and found...
An Atkinson man, who was scheduled for sentencing and a restitution hearing in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week, reconsidered a previous choice to waive his right to counsel. Michael R. Pulis, 46, pleaded guilty on July 5, to Count I, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; operate an unregistered vehicle, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and careless driving, an infraction, all committed Dec. 21, 2022, when he was involved in a two-vehicle collision west of Neligh. He told the judge he had recently undergone...
A Neligh man has been charged with burglary after he allegedly broke into Carhart Lumber, stole and crashed a 2013 Chevrolet pickup. Christopher W. Robinett, 20, made his first appearance in Antelope County court in Neligh on Aug. 16, on the Class 2A felony burglary charge. Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, who was previously appointed to represent Robinett, had filed a motion to withdraw due to a conflict of interest. Taylor appointed Martin Klein of Neligh and set the case for preliminary hearing Sept. 6. If convicted of the crime,...
Adalberto Sanchez, 34, of Tornillo, Texas, appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 2, via Zoom, for arraignment on 2016 charges, including Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, Count II, no operator’s license, and Count III, possession of an open alcohol container. Sanchez waived his right to counsel and trial, pleading guilty to counts I and II. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith dismissed Count III. The Honorable Donna Taylor ordered Sanchez to obtain an alcohol/drug evaluation from a certified counselor and set...
Five of about a dozen area residents, who were cited for possessing open alcohol containers July 3, waived court appearances and have each paid a $50 fine and $49 costs. They include Neligh residents Jaryd L. Montgomery, 32, Jamie L. Montgomery, 31, Scott N. Jacob, 46, Cory Coover, 50, and Ewing resident Riley Funk, 27. They were cited by a Nebraska State Patrol officer in a Neligh neighborhood near the intersection of M and 9th streets. Several individuals remain on the Aug. 16 Antelope County court docket. Austin R. Bertschinger, 30, of...
A South Dakota man and a Neligh woman are facing charges in Antelope County related to the theft of wire from center pivot irrigation systems. The owner of one system estimated the value of the wire stolen from 10 towers on his farm at nearly $9,000, not including labor and equipment costs for repair. Christopher Barta, 29, of Irene is set to appear Sept. 6, in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor on two Class 2A felony counts, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, both alleged between April 1...
A Clearwater man was sentenced to 12-20 years in prison last week. Michael J. Mueller, 26, of Clearwater received a double sentence of not less than six nor more than 10 years in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections when he faced the Honorable James Kube on July 26, in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh. Mueller pleaded guilty in May to charges of first-degree sexual assault in two separate cases involving separate minor victims, a 14-year-old girl on Dec. 26, 2022, and a 15-year-old girl on...
Jake Short, 23, of Oakdale appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on July 26 for a pretrial hearing on a charge of possession of cocaine. A plea agreement was announced, with Short pleading guilty to two counts included in an amended information, attempted possession of cocaine and theft by unlawful taking, $500-$1,499, both Class 1 misdemeanors. Short faces up to one year incarceration and/or up to a $1,000 fine on each count. The deal also included agreement by Short to pay...
A 23-year-old Oakdale man has been charged with one Class 4 felony count of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, alleged July 4 in downtown Neligh, during the city’s 150th birthday/Old Mill Days celebration. Rider C. Short faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on July 5 for a bond hearing. Taylor set bond at $20,000, 10% cash, which Short posted the same day. Antelope County public defender Pat Carney was appointed to represent him. Further arraignment is set July 19. Short was allegedly observed b...
A California woman and a Massachusetts woman, who had been traveling across the United States together, were sentenced to time served when they faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on June 7. Mandy L. Oliver, 40, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, appeared on a charge of possession of psilocybin, a Class 4 felony, while Anabel L. Valenzuela, 35, of Clovis, California, appeared for possession of tramadol, also a Class 4 felony. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney to represent Oliver and...
Jordan J. Knievel, 21, of Neligh appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on June 7, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney. She waived her right to preliminary hearing on a Class 3A felony charge, third-degree assault on a peace officer. Taylor bound her over to Antelope County district court, where she is set for arraignment June 28. Bond is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith dismissed, without prejudice, counts II and III, false...
Max S. Kerkman, 34, of Oakdale faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on June 7, for first hearing on a pair of Class 4 felony drug possession charges. He is accused of possessing methamphetamine and oxycodone June 6. If convicted, Kerkman faces up to $10,000 fine and/or up to two years incarceration for each count. He requested continuance and told Taylor that he would retain an Omaha attorney, Tom Peterson, who had represented him in prior cases. Taylor set preliminary hearing July 5 and continued bond....
Michael F. Doty, 30, Norfolk, formerly of Page, appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh for sentencing May 31, on a count of making terroristic threats, a crime committed last June in Orchard. Upon questioning by the Honorable James Kube, Doty said he had only a vague recollection of threatening his sister and brother-in-law June 28, 2022, at their Orchard home. He said he was under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine at the time. He told Kube he is currently living in a...
Michael J. Mueller, 26, of Clearwater appearing with his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Wednesday, May 31. Pursuant to a plea agreement with Antelope County attorney Joe Smith, Mueller changed his pleas to guilty on charges of first-degree sexual assault in two separate cases involving separate minor victims, a 14-year-old girl on Dec. 26, 2022, and a 15-year-old girl on three occasions last year. The crimes are Class 2 felonies. In return, Smith agreed to...
When Antelope County Commissioners convene June 6, members of the public wanting to watch proceedings will have to do so in person. After a 5-1 vote during the group’s May 9 meeting, broadcasting meetings via the Zoom platform will no longer be an option. Commissioner Regina Krebs voted against the motion. During discussion prior to the vote, chairman Charlie Henery said the group made a motion during the pandemic to use virtual conferencing. “If we don’t want to continue, we need a motio...
APPROVED CLAIMS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL May 2023 Amazon Capital Services, Inc., sup, 3,706.19; Barnhill Piano Service, piano tuned, 125.00; Black Hills Energy, nat gas, 436.68; Bomgaars, sup, 89.13; BrainPOP, LLC, sub renew, 3,800.00; Butch’s Body Shop, rep, 70.00; Capital One Bk(USA), NA, sup/hotel rooms, 3,948.15; CEV, license renew, 850.00; Clearwater Market, sup, 120.89; ColdType Publishing, print, 140.64; Comfort Inn Grand Island, Skills state conf, 1,600.00; DAS State Acctg, internet line chrgs, 411.70; Dusty’s fuel, 907.25; Eakes Off...
The Nebraska Court of Appeals has affirmed the Honorable Mark Johnson’s denial of Darryl Lierman’s latest motion for postconviction relief, according to Antelope County attorney Joe Smith. Nebraska Court of Appeals judges, the Honorable Francie Reidmann, the Honorable Riko Bishop and the Honorable Lawrence Welch rendered their opinion May 16. Lierman was represented by Michael Moyer of Madison, while Nebraska Attorney General Michael Hilger and Matthew Lewis served as counsel for the State of Nebraska. Lierman claimed his trial counsel was ine...
Jennifer L. Trease, 54, of Orchard faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on May 3, to be sentenced for maintaining a dangerous building, in violation of an Orchard village ordinance. Village attorney Joe McNally told the judge he had recently driven by the property and didn’t see much progress. Trease said she was working on it and explained work that had been accomplished. Taylor fined Trease $100 and assessed costs of $50 for the November 2022 violation. The judge told Trease that she needed to c...
An Orchard man, who has spent most of 2023 in the county jail, was sentenced to specialized probation by a district court judge last week - along with time already served and restitution. Michael D. Fox, 37, appeared before the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on April 26 for sentencing on two counts, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, and criminal mischief, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Fox was accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh. Kube reviewed a presentence investigation...
Christopher B. Brady, 32, of Elgin appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on April 19 for re-sentencing after his admission to violating probation. Brady was placed on an 18-month term of probation Nov. 2, 2022, for a conviction of third-degree domestic assault. Violations included his admitted use of methamphetamine and positive alcohol tests. Tylor revoked probation and ordered him committed to the Antelope County Jail for six months. He was given credit for 23 days served previously. He was...
Katelynn Westley, also known as Katelynn Marker, 25, of Stromsburg faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on April 19, alongside her court-appointed attorney, Dennis Moreland of Norfolk. Westley is charged with three counts of disturbing the peace, each with a separate victim, all alleged Jan. 26. With no resolution reached, the case is set for jury trial. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith estimated trial may take two days. He plans to call five witnesses and said evidence may include “computer record t...
