Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 276
Christian J. Peterson, 20, of Norfolk faced the Honorable Kale Burdick last Tuesday, Jan. 12, for sentencing on seven counts. Burdick sentenced Peterson to 18 months’ probation for Count I, attempted possession of a controlled substance, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, reckless driving, first offense, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, theft of lost property, also a Class 3 misdemeanor. In addition, Peterson was sentenced to a $250 fine and two days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for one day previously served, on Count V, minor in p...
Josue E. Saenz-Guevara, 27, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the Holt County district courtroom Monday, Dec.14, to be sentenced for third-degree sexual assault of a child, who was 13 years of age at the time the crime was committed in December 2018. Kozisek sentenced Saenz-Guevara to a term of three years in the Nebraska Penal and Correctional Complex at Lincoln, under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections, with credit for 301 days previously served. Provided he loses none of his good time, he must serve o...
The Honorable Donna Taylor resentenced a Ewing man, whose probation was revoked after he admitted violating its terms, last Wednesday in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. Shawn N. Stenka, 37, was sentenced to serve 30 days in the Antelope County Jail, with credit for two days previously served. Taylor revoked his driver’s license for one year, giving him credit for 365 days suspension. Stenka was placed on a 12-month term of probation Nov. 20, 2019, for a conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol. He admitted violations, i...
An Orchard man appeared for arraignment in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Nov. 18, facing charges in two separate cases. Andrew J. Clifton, 52, is charged with disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, that is alleged Oct. 27, at his parents’ home in Orchard. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, that requested a warrant for Clifton’s arrest, a 911 was received, reporting threatening delusional behavior by the defendant. A warrant for Clifton’s arrest, signed by the Honor...
A multi-vehicle accident, involving an Antelope County motor grader and a tractor-trailer, owned by Spud Trucking, LLC, of Clearwater, occurred Wednesday at the intersection of 512 Avenue and Summerland Road, in rural Antelope County. Ray Schlecht, of Clearwater, was driving the county grader on 512 Avenue, while the semi, driven by Derek Snodgrass, of Neligh, was traveling along Summerland Road, although the direction of travel is unclear. Antelope County Sheriff's office dispatcher, CoriAnn...
Two defendants were bound over to Holt County district court by the Honorable Kale Burdick when he presided over Holt County court last Tuesday, Oct. 13. Andrew F. Clark, 53, of O’Neill appeared before Burdick in two separate cases. The first case included two counts alleged June 16 in rural Holt County, second-degree trespassing, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and criminal mischief, less than $500, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to both counts and pretrial is set Nov. 17. The second case includes two felony counts alleged July 16, p...
A semi tractor-trailer and an Antelope County road grader collided early Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Summerland Road and 512 Avenue. The accident remains under investigation. Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department was on scene until approximately 3 p.m. Antelope County Sheriff's Office and the Nebraska State Patrol were on scene and are investigating the accident. This is a developing story. Information will be updated as details are released....
Orchard Fire and Rescue Department responded to a house fire, Thursday, Oct. 8, at 436 Noble Street. The call was issued at approximately 10 p.m. According to Antelope County deputy John Shaver, the dwelling's resident, Andrew Clifton, escaped from the home without injury. Shaver said the cause of the fire is undetermined. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office is investigating. "I should have the report in two to three weeks," Shaver said. Details about the fire were not released at this...
A South Carolina man who has been jailed in Nebraska since last December, was sentenced to serve not less than four, nor more than eight years in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections for a crime committed in Antelope County. Accompanied by public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk, Robert Wagle was handed the sentence in the Antelope County district courtroom Sept. 30 by the Honorable Mark Johnson. In an allocution statement, Figueroa told Johnson her client thought the vehicle belonged to his employer,...
An Antelope County commissioner had several questions about an annual agenda item during the board’s meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, in Neligh. Commissioner Dean Smith was curious about the 2020 inventories of county personal property, which had been presented to the board the previous week. However, due to the absence of the inventory of the county sheriff’s office at the time, the commissioners delayed acting on the agenda item. “How thoroughly have they been reviewed?” Smith asked about the inv...
Cindy K. Hauf, 58, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick last Tuesday, Sept. 8, for further arraignment on two Class 1 misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault. Hauf reached agreement with Holt County prosecutor, Brent Kelly, resulting in an amended complaint for a single count, a Class 2 misdemeanor, assault by mutual consent. She pleaded guilty and Burdick sentenced her to a $200 fine and assessed her $50 costs of prosecution. Tommy J. Nelson, 23, of Lyons, faced Burdick for a...
As the 2020-2021 fiscal year neared its second month, Antelope County leaders started their annual budget work with a special workshop meeting last week at the courthouse in Neligh. The budget must be submitted to the state by Sept. 20, with a public hearing required prior to its adoption. Although values won't be certified until later in the month, Assessor Kelly Meuller-Oltjenbruns has unofficially reported about a 3% decrease in valuation countywide. Commissioners reviewed department's...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over an array of cases last Wednesday, stemming from fights, traffic crashes, driving while intoxicated or under suspension, to dog attacks. In a rare move, Taylor chose not to follow a sentencing recommendation county attorney Joseph Abler offered as part of a plea deal. Abler recommended a fine only for Smokie J. Pike, 24, of Kearney, in exchange for Pike's no contest plea to third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent, a Class 2 misdemeanor. After...
An O’Neill man, who was initially stopped for speeding, has remained on the lam for months, failing numerous court appearances. The Honorable Kale Burdick signed an order July 7 for bond, posted July 25, 2019, by Cody L. Horstman, 28, be forfeited. Horstman was stopped by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper July 25, 2019, on Highway 281 south of O’Neill, for alleged speeding, 81 mph in 65 mph zone. According to a probable cause document, while questioning Horstman, the officer noticed the “light” odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Horstma...
Six of seven defendants who faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday morning, July 1, when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County court, faced charges stemming from alleged fights. If convicted of their individual third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent charges, they each face a possible fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, for the Class 2 misdemeanor. Hugo Estrada, 28, and Smokie J. Pike, 24, who resided in Neligh for the past several months, were cited for a May 3 fight at their residence. Pike pleaded...
Justin W. Bennett, 24, formerly of Lancaster, California, currently incarcerated at the Antelope County Jail, appeared before the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom Wednesday, June 17, on an extradition request from Los Angeles County, California. Prior to facing the judge, Bennett informed county attorney Joe Abler he intended to request a hearing, to find out what the California charges are about. Documents in possession of Antelope County officials listed allegations by code only. Abler said he had not looked up...
Two 2019 cases were dispensed in the Holt County courtroom last week when the Honorable Kale Burdick pronounced sentence on defendants. Burdick sentenced Timothy P. Kopejtka, 47, of Page, $500 and assessed him $107 costs, on an amended charge of willful reckless driving, first offense, committed last year. The charge was reduced from a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence, in exchange for his guilty plea, pursuant to a plea deal with county attorney Brent Kelly. According to a probable cause affidavit, Nebraska State Patrol...
A former Antelope County deputy has been sentenced for making a false statement last year to a special agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Jeffrey Treu, 63, was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment for his conviction of making a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement, by senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp last week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Treu pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement with US attorney Joseph Kelly. The agr...
A former Antelope County deputy has been for making a false statement last year to a special agent from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Jeffrey Treu, 63, was sentenced to 12 months’ probation, a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment for his conviction of making a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement, by senior United States District Judge Laurie Smith Camp last week, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Treu pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement with US attorney Joseph Kelly. The agreement was...
As traffic volume slowly rises, Nebraska State Patrol troopers are seeing a dramatic increase in excessive speeding. In two months since the first directed health measures were issued, troopers have cited more than 200 motorists for driving more than 100 miles per hour. Between March 19 and May 18, NSP troopers issued 204 speeding citations for drivers traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. Those citations have been issued across 26 different Nebraska counties. During the same two-month time period in 2019, troopers issued 101 such...
North Central District Health Department recently partnered with the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct tobacco compliance checks in Antelope County. Checks aim to ensure retailers are properly checking I.D.’s and only selling to those who are 19 or older. Antelope County’s compliance rate was 94.74% with 19 retailers checked, two skipped and one fail. HiWay Mart, City Limits, Dean’s Market, Elgin One Stop, The Home Town Station, Antelope Lanes, Buff’s Dew Drop Inn, Lucky Joe’s Liquor, Casey’s Retail Co. #2378, Cubby’s Inc., Dollar General #6015...
As Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season, Nebraska State Troopers will be on the road working day and night to keep Nebraska roads safe. "Troopers have been working diligently throughout the pandemic and that will continue as traffic is expected to increase during the summer months," said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. "Travel plans may have changed for many people this summer, but for those who hit the road, it's...
Antelope County commissioner Eli Jacob, 66, of Clearwater was sentenced Wednesday morning in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. The Honorable Donna Taylor fined Jacob $500 and ordered him to pay $50 costs for his conviction of official misconduct. The case involved accusations that Jacob took a heating unit from the Orchard county barn Jan. 1, 2019. He pleaded no contest to the Class 2 misdemeanor last month after reaching a plea deal with special Antelope County prosecutor Joseph Smith. Smith told the judge that the heater had been remov...
An Antelope County commissioner, who was set to face a jury of his peers in the Antelope County courtroom later this month, more than a year after an alleged theft of county property, pleaded no contest to an amended complaint when he faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday. Eli Jacob, 66, of Clearwater, who is accused of taking a heating unit from the Orchard county barn Jan. 1, 2019, appeared March 4 for a pretrial hearing in the case. Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith, as special prosecutor for Antelope County, told Taylor a plea...
Benjamin Parks, 22, of O’Neill appeared in Holt County court last Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a preliminary hearing on two charges filed by chief deputy Nebraska Attorney General David Bydalek last November, Count I, tampering with a witness, a Class 4 felony committed May 6, 2019, and procuring alcohol for a minor, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A plea deal was struck with prosecutor Mariah J. Nickel, assistant attorney general, and Parks attorney, Allison Rockey Mason of Norfolk. In exchange for a no contest plea to Count II, Nickel dismissed Count I. T...
