Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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I am curious as to what ever happened to scruples in public life. Anybody know? You remember scruples: Stand-up people, the do-the-right-thing-regardless crowd? Maybe my naivete is showing, but I swear scruples used to be a thing. They - or lack of them - came to mind when I read that Italian authorities found the young British tourist who carved "Ivan +Haley 23" into the wall of Rome's 2,000-year-old Colosseum. Pro tip, Ivan: Love may conquer all, make the world go round and find a way, but eve...
Agriculture, broadband connectivity and tax savings were key topics addressed during Gov. Jim Pillen's town hall meeting, June 28, in O'Neill. Pillen opened by telling the crowd of approximately 80 that his team strives to work for "all Nebraskans. "I can't stand politics. I can't stand politicians," the governor said. "The privilege I had in the first six months, it is unbelievable how many incredible public servants we have serving the state of Nebraska." One of Pillen's goals has been to...
Recent tension between the Boyd-Holt E911 board members and fire departments, emergency medical services, and law enforcement from both Boyd and Holt counties came to a head, Tuesday, June 20, as representatives filled the Holt County Annex meeting room. The board has struggled to keep employees the last few years and has failed to keep some of its promises to other dispatching agencies. Troubles with employees and management have fractured the once smooth operations' center that dispatches for...
So, this is prison reform? At this point, it's something and we'll cling to every little bit of it while the Republican majority anticipates the building of a new prison, which will do little, if anything, to alleviate overcrowding An omnibus bill sponsored by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen creates several programs intended to improve the state's criminal justice system, including a program to expand problem-solving courts, a pilot program to establish parole-...
The Boyd-Holt County Dispatch Center is responsible for the calling out of law enforcement and emergency medical services and fire department response in Holt and Boyd counties. The problem facing the area, state and country is the need for more people willing to do the job or interview. The Boyd-Holt Dispatch Center has struggled to keep up with personnel in the last few years. Troubles with employees and management have fractured the once smooth operations center that dispatched for the two counties. The Boyd-Holt 911 Board comprises two...
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...
This week saw the Legislature continue to work late into the night to complete its business before adjourning in June. Although only a few bills have advanced thus far, a tremendous amount of work is going on behind the scenes by various legislative divisions such as the clerk’s office, transcribers, bill drafters, information technology, research, and committees to ensure bills are ready for the floor. With all the budget bills sitting on final reading, senators spent several days working to p...
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-3 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGES FOR SUMMER HELP, BEGINNING MAY 8, 2023; 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 summer maintenance help, as follows: Summer Help 1 - $15.00 per hour Summer Help 2 - $12.00 per hour SECTION 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in co...
As if propping up the school aid formula to historic proportions wasn't enough, the new governor appears to be getting his way in the Legislature with a package of tax changes that could cost the state more than $3 billion over the next six years. The plan would increase Nebraska's two property tax credit programs, cap school property tax growth and eliminate almost all community college property taxes. Oh, and this bill works in concert with one that would cut the state's top income tax rate...
The Nebraska Supreme Court listened to arguments in two cases, April 27, in O'Neill, as part of Law Day. Twenty-six Summerland students, along with sponsors Dan Roeber and Patty Sukup, got a first-hand look at how the court operates. Upon arrival at O'Neill High School, students went through a security check, conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol. Judge Kale Burdick explained what students would witness. After introduction of the justices, the court listened to two arguments, with lawyers...
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...
Many major issues were debated this past week in the Legislature, with LB 626 and LB 574 being the two most highly-contested bills considered by senators. LB 626 would adopt the Nebraska Heartbeat Act and restrict abortion to when a fetal heartbeat is first detected, thereby reducing the current 20-week abortion time window to about six weeks. This bill includes exceptions for rape, incest, sexual assault, medical emergencies (such as ectopic pregnancies and the removal of the remains of an...
The Honorable Kale Burdick, when he presided from the bench of the Holt County court in O’Neill on April 11, set aside a conviction for Rebecca D. Strong, 48, of Ewing. The action nullifies Strong’s October 2020 conviction of a Class 2 misdemeanor, theft by deception. Burdick ruled that Strong is “unlikely to engage in further criminal activity and it is in her best interest and is consistent with the public interest” to grant the request. In her petition for set aside, Strong said she successfully completed probation, had no further convict...
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-1 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING A WAGE FOR TROY BEHNKE, MAINTENANCE OPERATOR FOR THE VILLAGE, BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2023; 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 Troy Behnke, Maintenance Operator for the Village, as follows: Maintenance Operator, Troy Behnke $24.00 per hour...
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-2 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGES FOR LIBRARIAN KATHRYN FEUSSE, BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2023, AND LIBRARY HELPERS, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023, AS APPROVED BY THE LIBRARY BOARD; 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 approved by the library board and presented to the village board...
It is the last week of March and the Legislature has moved on to all-day debate. At this point in time in the prior 2021 90-day long session, the Legislature had passed 31 bills with 16 signed into law by the governor. This year, a grand total of zero bills have been passed into law and only one resolution - my resolution LR 13 - affirming the Legislature’s support for including the names of the Sage brothers and other 71 sailors of the USS Frank E. Evans on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial W...
Michael Doty of 29, of Page faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on March 29, for pretrial hearing on two Class 3A felony counts. He was charged with making terroristic threats and a Class 3 misdemeanor, disturbing the peace. A plea agreement was announced by Doty’s attorney, Antelope County public defender Pat Carney. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith dismissed one terroristic threat count and the disturbing the peace charge and agreed to file no further charges in the case. In return, Doty p...
The Legislature has completed Day 50 of this 90-day legislative session and is in the middle of debate on bills that have been designated as a priority by senators, committees and the speaker. This past week, the Legislature gave initial first-round approval to LB 574 which would adopt the Let Them Grow Act and prohibit the performance of gender-altering procedures on minors. This legislation has been the focus of discussions and filibusters in the past few weeks as opponents of the bill raised...
How many brackets were busted over the weekend as the field of 64 narrowed? I'm not talking about college hoops. I'm talking about voting in the Nebraska Beer Bracket, a 64-brewery tournament that aims to "crown the best beer in Nebraska." The brainchild of Sarah Baker Hansen, a former Omaha World-Herald food writer, the bracket extends beyond Omaha and divides the state into four regions: Omaha, East, West and Capitol. Baker Hansen, along with the graphic design team from Hanscom Park Studios,...
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and the Nebraska Pharmacists Association continues to get lifesaving Narcan out to Nebraska residents in order to be prepared in the event of an opioid overdose. Since March 1, Narcan is available at no charge, at Kubat Pharmacy/Hilltop Drug, located at 108 W. 11th in Neligh. "Our partnership with Kubat Pharmacy and DHHS will allow anyone who is in a position to help someone who is experiencing an opioid overdose to access Narcan nasal spray at no cost, without...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF PAGE March 13, 2023 The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board of Page was held Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Village office. This meeting was in compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act and the Open Meeting Laws are posted at the Village office. Chair Linquist called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Trustees VanEvery, Bartak and Tyrrell present. Also present: Cora Calkins and Diane Fox. Absent: Leichleiter. Motion by Bartak, seconded by Tyrrell, to approve minutes of the Feb. 13, 2023, regular meeting as...
While speaking at a recent high school career fair, I outlined my high school plan following graduation: go to law school, move to Chicago and secure a job on Printer’s Row. At the time, I’d never been to Chicago ... I’d visited other spots in Illinois and liked them. I wouldn’t arrive in Chicago until 20 years after I graduated high school. I was a grad student at Northwestern University; living in Evanston and taking the ‘L’ into Chicago proper cemented my choice to live in the Cornhusker...
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...
This week saw the Legislature conclude the second and final week of all-day committee hearings. The schedule will return to a traditional format, where floor debate is in the mornings and committee hearings in the afternoon. The question of whether Nebraska should legalize medical marijuana will again be considered by the Legislature. Sen.Wishart introduced LB 588, the Medicinal Cannabis Act, which would provide a regulatory framework to establish access to cannabis specifically for medical...
