Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 113
Prescribed burns are taking place this spring on some Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather conditions allow. Burning allows habitat managers to positively impact more acres. Burns will be conducted this spring and those not completed will be attempted this summer or fall, as weather conditions allow. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife species, and for some species, the effect is immediate. The long-term effects on wildlife habitat are much better...
Neil R. Nemec, 70, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week for sentencing on two charges, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, .08, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor and Count II, careless driving, an infraction. On Count I, Burdick ordered a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license for 60 days. He was fined $100 on Count II and taxed $105 costs of prosecution and $210 probation-related fees. Nemec pleaded guilty Feb. 14, pursuant to a plea agr...
Guests at northeast Nebraska state park areas were treated to some improvements in 2022, with more set to be completed in 2023. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects: Summit Lake State Recreation Area Summit Lake State Recreation Area near Tekamah saw aquatic habitat and angler access improvement projects completed to improve the fishery and guests' experience. The west and south sediment basins were excavated to restore them to their original capacity and prevent...
New visitation rules will be in place this spring at Grove Trout Rearing Station, near Royal, for the safety of the trout being raised there. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is balancing its obligation to raise quality, healthy trout with its commitment to education and visitation at the popular facility. Although most visitors have followed the facility’s rules, some have not, causing stress to fish that compromises their health and increases mortality. Treating the trout has led to an increased cost of production. Repairs also had t...
Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in a virtual discussion on fisheries management during meetings March 20 to 23. These four regional public informational sessions – one for each Game and Parks district – will provide local updates on the fishing outlook and special projects in respective areas. The informal, interactive gatherings will provide a chance for questions, dialogue and feedback. The virtual meetings will take place on Zoom, a free app that can be downloaded to a web browser or mobile device. Participants will be enc...
Jake R. Short, 22, of Meadow Grove appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County court in Neligh on Jan. 18, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, to be sentenced for second-degree forgery, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed nearly one year ago. Taylor fined Short $200 and assessed $50 costs. Restitution of $433.73 had been paid and a second forgery count was dismissed by deputy Antelope County attorney, Joe Smith, as agreed to by the late county attorney, Joe Abler, in an October 2022 plea agreement....
Helping law enforcement eliminate poaching in Nebraska just got a little easier, thanks to a new program by Nebraska Game and Parks. The new online reporting tool allows people to anonymously report suspected wildlife violations through a form at OutdoorNebraska.gov/WildlifeCrimestoppers. People can submit photos and even indicate if they are interested in a reward if charges are filed because of the tip. Once submitted, the report goes directly to the conservation officer in the county where the incident is suspected. “With this form, w...
Stay safe on the ice this winter while enjoying a day of ice-fishing. Follow these tips from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for safety on the ice: The minimum ice thickness for supporting one person is at least four inches of clear, solid ice. Drill holes or use an ice chisel or spud bar to check the ice conditions while working the way out to a fishing spot. Wear a life jacket. Avoid falls by wearing ice cleats on boots to maintain traction. Layer clothing, beginning with a synthetic la... Full story
Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency executive director, John Berge, recently announced the opening of applications for a special Conservation Reserve Program initiative designed to increase habitat for upland wildlife. The Upland Wildlife State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement CRP aims to create more acres for wildlife such as greater prairie chickens, northern bobwhite, plains sharp-tailed grouse, ring-neck pheasants, songbirds and pollinators. It also is designed to improve water quality and soil health and reduce soil erosion and sequester...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and its partners have received a $4 million grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to restore grassland and wetland habitat for at-risk species. A four-year conservation project will take place in the Sandhills and adjacent areas, where wetlands and streams face alteration and channelization. Grasslands also are being encroached by eastern redcedar, which can reduce the available forage for livestock, increase wildfire risk, reduce stream flow, and degrade wildlife habitat. The goals are t...
A spark. That’s all it takes to ignite a wildfire. With the pheasant and rifle deer season openers rapidly approaching, hunters are reminded to act responsibly in the field and to do their part in the prevention of wildfires. According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln drought monitor, 80% of the state is experiencing severe to exceptional drought conditions. These prolonged conditions have increased the risk of wildfires across much of the state, and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges hunters to take the following precautions: R...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept lottery applications for mountain lion permits Nov. 7 to Dec. 14, for the 2023 hunting season. Permits are available only to Nebraska residents, who may have one permit per calendar year. The bag limit for each permit is one mountain lion of either sex. The 2023 Season 1 in the Pine Ridge Unit will be Jan. 2-Feb. 28. Before Feb. 28, the season will close immediately if either the annual harvest limit of four mountain lions or sublimit of two female mountain lions is reached. If the harvest...
A combination firearm and bowhunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard, Oct. 17, 20 and 22. Class will meet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 20 and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22. The free course will be held at the community room behind the Orchard fire hall. The course will provide instruction in the areas of safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification and conservation management. Students must...
Hunters will have a chance to pursue deer at three state park areas along the lower Platte River this fall and winter. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering special antlerless deer hunting opportunities within Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River state parks and Schramm Park State Recreation Area. Successful applicants will be issued special access permit that allows them to hunt antlerless deer in designated areas of a park on certain dates, using specific equipment. Successful applicants and interested alternates must attend an...
Rainbow trout will be stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to enhance fishing oppportunities this fall and winter. "This program emphasizes the urban and community waters statewide," said Greg Anderson, Game and Parks' fish production supervisor. "Ten-inch trout are stocked to provide angling opportunities for all ages to catch and harvest." The stocking of trout began Monday. During the weeks of Oct. 3, 10 and 17, 200 trout will be added, weekly, to the east branch of Verdigre...
It won’t be long. The first of the duck seasons almost is here. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Ducks Unlimited bring back the popular Nebraska Duck Slam, a challenge for duck hunters to take advantage of Nebraska’s duck hunting opportunities. The Duck Slam challenges hunters to harvest a teal (blue-winged or green-winged) of either sex, as well as drakes of three other species: an American wigeon, a mallard and a northern pintail. All ducks must be harvested in Nebraska and hunters must upload a photo of each harvest at Out...
With the annual dove season opener on Sept. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has some reminders for hunters, as well as recommendations for areas to hunt. Doves are abundant statewide and, with generous bag limits, provide excellent wing-shooting opportunities. Doves may be hunted statewide Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2022, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively. Bag and possession limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared-doves in aggregate. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until s...
Up for a challenge? How about harvesting a ring-necked pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie chicken and northern bobwhite quail in Nebraska this season. That’s the challenge of the Nebraska Upland Slam, a partnership among the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever. This year marks the fifth year of the challenge. Hunters who take all four of Nebraska’s primary upland gamebird species upload a photo of each harvested bird online and share information about their hunting experience. Those who...
Anglers can use all the help they can get in the heat of summer when fishing gets tough. They, and their baits, really are up against it. There is much competition in the water. Knowing when and where to fish can make all the difference for them. “Fishing gets tough in the summer because fish have so much natural prey to eat,” says Daryl Bauer, fisheries outreach program manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Everything is at its peak during the summer.” Bauer said that with the warm water of summer, fish are feeding as much or...
A fish kill at Pibel Lake in southern Wheeler County has affected a variety of sport fish and set back the size quality of fish in the popular fishing spot. Thousands of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish died June 21-22 in the 25-surface-acre lake south of Bartlett. High water temperature combined with a rapid die-off and decay of aquatic vegetation resulted in extremely low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. The kill affected larger size fish in each species. A sampling conducted by the Nebraska Game and Parks...
June is National Camping Month and now is the perfect time to explore the local hidden gems Grove Lake has to offer. Information from the "Royal Centenniel" highlights the complete story of Grove Lake, written by Jack Strain and Eugene Baker. Grove Lake construction began late in the summer of 1953. Grove Lake received it’s name from Philo Grove, an area resident and former owner of part of the land included in the purchase. Construction of Grove Lake came about when the Nebraska Game and P...
Frank G. Meyer, 65, of Orchard appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick, in the Holt County courtroom June 14 for sentencing on four counts committed Feb. 25. Burdick sentenced Meyer to seven days in the Holt County Jail, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license for six months on an amended count of driving under the influence, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor; fined him $50 for an infraction count, possession of open alcohol container, $25 each on infraction counts, speeding, six to 10 mph over the posted limit, and driving o...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 13, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, June 13, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Kelly Kerkman, Steve Stearns, Cody Kester. Others present: Kate Ahlers,...
The Grove Trout Rearing Station near Royal, will be closed to visitors until further notice due to upcoming expected high air temperatures in the area. Warm water stresses trout, which have experienced health issues as the water to the facility has warmed. Warm water holds less oxygen, which is crucial to trout production. Additional stressors could further compromise fish health, prompting the decision to close visitation to this popular Antelope County destination. “Game and Parks and the staff at the facility would like to thank the p...
William H. Allen, 71, of Clarksdale, Mississippi, filed a waiver of appearance in Holt County court last week for shooting a turkey that was on private property, from the roadway, an offense that cost the man $1,249. He pleaded guilty to Count I, hunting without permission, and Count II, shooting from roadway, both Class 3 misdemeanors. He was fined $200 for Count I and $500 for Count II, assessed $500 in liquidated damage and $49 costs. Allen was cited April 22 by a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officer near 485 Avenue and Lumber Road in...
