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 276
Shaley F. Kohl, 30, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill Aug. 8, for arraignment on two Class 2 misdemeanor counts of leaving the scene of a property-damage collision. Pursuant to a plea deal with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, Kohl entered a guilty plea to one count with stipulation for $250 restitution to Gifford Tomkins. Kelly dismissed the second count. The agreement included a joint recommendation for probation. Burdick sentenced Kohl to an 11-month term of probation for the March 29 off...
Marcelino Ponce Covarrubias, also known as Marcelino Covarrubias Ponce, Marcelino Covarrubias and Marcelino C. Ponce, 58, of O’Neill filed a written waiver of his right to preliminary hearing. His attorney, Renee Mathias with the Berry Law Firm of Omaha, appeared in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on his behalf July 11, when the Honorable Kale Burdick bound Ponce Covarrubias over to Holt County district court. He is set for district court arraignment Aug. 28, on three Class 2 felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a con...
Nebraska is on display for the next 10 days at the Nebraska State Fair and Nebraska state troopers will be working to keep the event safe for all. Troopers are also looking to recruit the next generation of troopers throughout the fair. "We're excited for another great year at the Nebraska State Fair," said Captain Dean Riedel, commander of Troop C, based in Grand Island. "We encourage everyone to travel safely on the way to the fair and have a great time during the event. Our troopers will be o...
The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a suspicious death that occurred in Garfield County Wednesday morning. At approximately 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, the Garfield County sheriff's office requested assistance from troopers in response to a reported deceased individual who had been located along Highway 91, several miles east of Burwell. Troopers and NSP investigators responded to the scene. The deceased individual has been identified as Amanda Summers, 33, of Trumbull. NSP is the lead...
Acting United States Attorney Susan Lehr recently announced that Lindsey Ann Rokahr, 40, of Ewing, was sentenced Aug. 4, in federal court in Omaha, for her participation in a methamphetamine conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr. sentenced Rokahr to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After her release from prison, she will begin a four-year term of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Rokahr, on April 26, entered a plea of guilty to Count I o...
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...
In May, 10 Nebraska State Patrol troopers went to Texas for two weeks to help with drone surveillance of the border with Mexico. Recently, 60 Nebraska National Guard members went to Texas for a month for a similar assignment. Is this a Nebraska problem? Or is this part of the national Republican Party agenda to allow Republican governors to take shots at the policies of President Joe Biden and blame Texas border woes on his administration. What's in it for Nebraska? Certainly not money. The...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol stopped 118 people for driving at 100 miles per hour or more during the month of July. The effort coincided with the nationwide law enforcement campaign focused on the dangers of speeding. The 118 citations for 100 miles per hour or higher is the most issued by troopers in any month since July 2020. Troopers issued another 505 citations for speeds between 90 and 99 miles per hour in July. So far in 2023, troopers have cited a monthly average of 85 drivers for traveling above 100 miles per hour and an...
Tyler C. Bain, 40, of Stuart faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on July 18 for arraignment on Count I, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed May 6; and Count II, unsafe backing, an infraction. Bain pleaded guilty to Count I, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In return, Kelly dismissed Count II. The agreement included stipulation regarding restitution owed to Deb Hilker/Farm Bureau Insurance. Burdick fined him $150, ordered $8,347 restitution....
A Ewing woman was sentenced last week for charges stemming from incidents that occurred at a rural Ewing home, occupied by several children, more than one year ago. Jessica J. Snyder, 41, of Ewing appeared in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill last week. The Honorable Mark Kozisek sentenced Snyder to a two-year term of probation for her conviction of third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; criminal mischief (more than $500 damage but less than $1,500), a Class 2 misdemeanor; and criminal mischief (less than $500 damage), a C...
Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Grand Island man on multiple counts of sexual assault of a child following an investigation that began earlier this year. In May, the Nebraska State Patrol received a report from a victim of a sexual assault that had occurred on multiple occasions in Boone County several years ago. Investigators began looking into the case and discovered another victim. Both victims were children in their early teens at the time of the assaults, which...
Nebraska State Troopers took 36 impaired drivers off the road in the days surrounding the Independence Day holiday. “Our troopers stayed busy this weekend as Nebraskans gathered to celebrate America,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As the summer continues, we encourage all travelers to drive safely, no matter how far the road trip takes you.” Troopers and dispatchers worked overtime from June 30 through July 5, as part of a nationwide effort to keep roads safe for 4th of July travel. NSP’s campaign was m...
Katelynn Westley, also known as Katelynn Marker, 25, of Stromsburg waived her right to a jury trial and changed her plea to guilty on each of three counts of disturbing the peace, committed Jan. 26. Taylor fined Westley $250 on each count, placed her on probation for six months, including $220 in fees, and assessed $50 costs. Probation terms included letters of apology to be approved by probation officer. Westley was represented by Dennis Morland of Norfolk. Morgan K. Anson, 25, of Orchard faced Taylor on a single count, no proof of financial...
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...
A 22-year-old Auburn man faces a 12-count arraignment in Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill on June 11. Jacob L McVay recently signed a waiver to his right to preliminary hearing. Five felony counts were bound over to the district court by the Honorable Kale Burdick on June 13, with jurisdiction for misdemeanor and infraction counts waived to the district court as well. Charges include: First-degree assault on an officer, a Class 1D felony; window-tint violation, a Class 5 misdemeanor; willful reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor; fol...
Dale Dewayne Thompson, of Valentine, was an 18-year-old high school student when he and his brother, Gene, enlisted in the Army. More than 72 years after being reported as missing in action, Dale Thompson returned home for the final time. His remains were identified in November. On June 27, he was flown to Omaha and made the long trek home to the north central community where he grew up. According to Thompson's obituary, the Thompson brothers enlisted shortly before war officially broke out on J...
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...
The Honorable Kale Burdick handed down sentences when he presided from the bench in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on June 20. Tanner J. Storjohann, 22, of O’Neill faced Burdick on three counts in an amended complaint filed by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly on April, 21, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W. misdemeanor; Count II, reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Storjohann entered guilty pleas on all three counts. Burdick ord...
Independence Day weekend brings fireworks to the sky and vehicles to the road as many people travel to be with family and friends to celebrate America. Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol will be working hard to keep Nebraska roadways safe and help motorists in need of an assist. “Nebraska communities are full of awesome Fourth of July celebrations, and we want everyone to be safe as they travel this weekend,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “If your party involves alcohol, make sure to plan for a sob...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol are teaming up with troopers from many other states for a campaign focused on patrolling U.S. Highway 20. "Highway 20 is a major route of travel across the country and for vacationers coming to experience northern Nebraska," said Captain Dain Hicks, commander of Troop B, based in Norfolk. "This multi-state partnership is positively impacting the safety for Highway 20 travelers from Nebraska to Iowa and across the entire country." During the month of May, N...
Seward County routinely seizes money from motorists on Interstate 80, keeps the cash – and never convicts the drivers of a crime. The county's sheriff's department and county attorney use this practice, known as civil asset forfeiture, so often that a third of all cases of this kind in Nebraska state courts come from Seward County, population 17,962, a Flatwater Free Press analysis of court records shows. The county has hauled in $7.5 million in forfeited cash in the past five years, some of i...
Area Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and North Central District Health Department sponsored tobacco compliance checks in Antelope, Holt, Boyd, Pierce and Knox counties through a Region 4 block grant. Compliance checks are conducted by Nebraska State Patrol to check tobacco retailers to ensure they are complying with Nebraska laws regarding tobacco sales. In Antelope County, 17 retailers were checked and two failed resulting in a 88.3% compliance rate. Mr. S’s, City Limits, Dean’s Market, Neligh Vapor Shop, Elgin One Stop, The Home Tow...
United States Attorney Steven Russell recently released information on a United States District Court case regarding a methamphetamine conspiracy in the area. In May 2020, the Holt County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska State Patrol and the United States Postal Inspection Service began investigating Lindsey A. Rokahr and Dallas S. Rhinehart, 53, for their involvement in the distribution of meth in the Norfolk area. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Katherine M. Tacheira, 51, of Walnut Creek, California, was the source of the...
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...
Mark A. Rasmussen, 65, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on June 6 on charges of driving under suspension, March 30 and April 11. Burdick fined him $100 and $50 costs in each case. Rasmussen was self-represented. Kara K. Coufal, 44, of Madison appeared for arraignment. She waived her right to counsel and reached a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In exchange for Coufal’s guilty plea to Count I, DUS, a Class 3 misdemeanor, Kelly dismissed Count II, no valid regis...
