Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 53
Five defendants were sentenced by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Feb. 23. Debra F. Jordan, 55, of Norfolk was sentenced to 364 days in the Antelope County Jail, with credit for 69 days previously served, for her conviction of theft by unlawful taking, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Jordan was also ordered to pay the costs of prosecution in the amount of $210.71 and restitution, in the amount of $360, to JB Mart in Tilden. Jordan, who was represented by Antelope County public defender...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over the Antelope County court in the Neligh courtroom last Wednesday, with a light criminal docket. Cases ranged from a hunting violation and driving offenses to accumulating junk. But one defendant left the courtroom after paying a fine, to meet an officer waiting with handcuffs and warrant in hand. Connor A. Napier, 20, of Orchard appeared for arraignment on two counts, shooting wildlife from the roadway and violating deer regulations. Napier waived his right to counsel and initially pleaded guilty to...
Warrants were issued by the Honorable Donna Taylor for two defendants who failed to appear in the Antelope County court last Wednesday, Nov. 17. Angela Flores, of Neligh failed to appear for a bench trial on a City of Neligh junk ordinance violation alleged Aug. 1. Taylor issued a warrant for Flores’ arrest, with a $1,500, 10% bond, after a motion was filed by Joe McNally on behalf of the city. McNally testified Flores had called his office 20 minutes prior to the scheduled trial, indicating she had to work. The attorney alleged he had seen h...
Justin M. Golter, 46, of Orchard faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Oct. 20 for arraignment on four counts alleged Aug. 20, 2020. Golter is accused of a Class 1D felony, possession of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver (two ounces); a Class 4 felony count, possession of meth; and two Class 4 felony counts of theft by receiving stolen property, $1,500 to $5,000. Golter requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor adjudged him indigent and appointed the public defender’s office to represent him. She f...
If a tree grows in the right of way, along a township road, and needs trimmed or removed, who is responsible for tree trimming? Holt County Supervisors listened to public comment on the topic, Thursday, during a public hearing held in the supervisors' room at the Holt County Courthouse in O'Neill. While the hearing focused on written notices, sent by the county attorney's office, to landowners in Rock Falls Township,the question of responsibility first sprouted earlier this year, when the Emmett...
The Honorable Donna Taylor signed two arrest warrants recently when she presided over Antelope County court in Neligh. A warrant was issued Wednesday, Sept. 1, for a 63-year-old Orchard man - on new but similar allegations to a case currently set for a jury trial in the county court, involving a different victim. The warrant called for the arrest of Russell L. Meyer on two charges, second-degree trespassing and disturbing the peace. Bond was set at $3,000, 10% cash, with a condition for no contact with the victim, her mother or their...
The Honorable Kale Burdick signed an arrest warrant for an out-of-state man who failed to appear in Holt County court for arraignment on two felony counts last Tuesday, Aug. 24. Michael W. Hilton, 36, was arrested by a Holt County deputy June 14, in O’Neill, on allegations of a Class 2A felony, fourth-offense driving under the influence of alcohol, and a Class 4 felony, driving without a court-ordered ignition interlock device. In a probable-cause affidavit, the deputy indicated he was dispatched to investigate a reported reckless driver on H...
Attorneys with the Nebraska attorney general’s office will serve as special Holt County attorneys, to prosecute a case involving the death of a 13-month-old child. Bryor Weekley, born May 14, 2020, died July 8, allegedly as a result of child abuse at the hands of his biological father, John T. Applegarth, 22, of O’Neill. A Class 1B felony charge of intentional child abuse which resulted in the child’s death was filed against Applegarth on July 19, by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. A warrant for Applegarth’s arrest, including bond set at...
Russell L. Meyer, 62, of Orchard appeared before the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, June 2, for arraignment on a charge of second-degree trespass/defy order to leave. Meyer requested court-appointed counsel. After holding an indigency hearing, Taylor appointed public defender Melissa Figueroa. Further arraignment is set June 16. Bond, in the amount of $1,500, 10% cash, posted May 4, is continued. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, Meyer was arrested after he continued to trespass,...
Charges have been dropped, at least for the time being, against the second of two men arrested for theft of a vehicle that was recovered near Clearwater last fall. Christopher J. Alexander, 23, of Omaha was scheduled to appear for pretrial hearing on the felony count in Antelope County district court last Wednesday, Feb. 24, but the charge was dismissed, without prejudice, by Antelope County attorney Joe Abler on Feb. 22. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, filed Oct. 21, 2020, was released. Alexander, who was set for jury trial March 15,...
Ervin J. Mast, 33, of Ewing appeared before the Honorable Donna Taylor last week, for arraignment on four counts alleged Nov. 27, 2020. He is charged with, Count I, driving under the influence, .15 grams or more, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction. Mast pleaded not guilty to all four counts and requested a jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Feb. 17. Bond, in the...
Jeremy J. Mathrole, 40, of Crofton appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom Wednesday, Oct. 28, for sentencing on a count of violating the Nebraska Sexual Offender Registration Act. Mathrole was represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, who commented, “I think this is a lesson for the Legislature,” citing the differences in registry regulations in different states and his client’s travel to multiple states for work. He requested a sentence of time already served, alternately stating Mathrole had the abili...
The Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts released results of Holt County’s annual audit late last month. The report covers July 2019 through June 2020 and includes numerous areas of concern for internal control that were listed in a letter sent to the county board of supervisors Sept. 25. The report is a matter of public record and is posted on the APA’s website. Deann Haeffner, APA assistant deputy auditor, noted in the letter that the report is “critical in nature” as it addresses areas noted for improvement and does not include observa...
istory, the Holt County Board of Adjustment held an organizational meeting, Sept. 24, to elect a chairman and set parameters for an Oct. 29 public hearing on the TC Energy pipeline construction permit application appeal. O’Neill resident Gene Kelly was selected chairman and presided over the meeting, which ran approximately two hours. Board members opted to hold the hearing at the O’Neill Community Center, scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., with sign-up scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. A list of cri...
Dennis C. Statler, 50, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Antelope County courtroom for sentencing on a Class 1 misdemeanor count of domestic assault, cause body injury, committed March 31. He was sentenced to a 12-month term of probation, including related fees totaling $390 and $60 costs of prosecution. In addition to standard terms of probation, Statler was ordered to complete a co-occurring evaluation and to follow recommendations; complete an initial diagnostic interview for Batterer’s I...
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...
The Holt County supervisors finalized seating of a board of adjustment when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 30. Vice chair Steve Boshart presided, due to the potential for board of adjustment action related to TC Energy matters, with which chairman Bill Tielke has a declared conflict of interest. Clayton Goeke of Atkinson was selected, by written ballot from a pool of three interested citizens, to serve as the alternate board member. Goeke garnered three votes, Cheri Frisch of Atkinson, two, and Tom Schaaf of Lynch, non...
LUNA STEPHENS Nebraska News Service While much of the attention on this summer's legislative session will likely be focused on property tax relief, Nebraska state senators passed a variety of bills before the session was suspended and have more to discuss. The Nebraska Legislature's 2020 session was suspended March 16 because of COVID-19 concerns and will resume July 20. Here's a look at some of the legislation that became laws, and some that will continue to be debated when the Legislature resu...
Antelope County Commissioners approved a motion during an emergency meeting, March 18, to limit access to the courthouse. Beginning March 19, individuals needing to conduct business with local officials will be required to make an appointment with a specific office. The change will be in effect until April 7, or as deemed necessary by Centers for Disease Control and/or state officials. A list of office phone numbers and email addresses will appear on all courthouse doors. Visitors will be met...
Antelope County Commissioners approved a motion during an emergency meeting, March 18, to limit access to the courthouse. Beginning March 19, individuals needing to conduct business with local officials will be required to make an appointment with a specific office. The change will be in effect until April 7, or as deemed necessary by Center for Disease Control and/or state officials. A list of office phone numbers and email addresses will appear on all courthouse doors. Visitors will be met at...
A Neligh man was sent to jail by the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday for repeatedly circumventing an ignition interlock device ordered in a Pierce County sentence for driving under the influence of alcohol. Kasey Swyear, 28, was convicted in three Antelope County cases, after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutor Joe Abler. In the first case, Swyear changed his not guilty pleas to guilty on two counts committed Aug. 24, driving a vehicle without an interlock, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and speeding, 82 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, an...
The Honorable Mark Johnson, one of two judges who serve the seventh judicial district of Nebraska, took the bench in the Antelope County courtroom last Wednesday, Jan. 29. Johnson and the Honorable James Kube alternate annually as presiding judges in the Antelope County district court. Johnson sentenced a Pierce County woman to three consecutive jail terms for felony convictions. Karen R. Stewart, 46, of Osmond will spend 120 days in the Antelope County Jail, providing she loses no good time. She was sentenced to 180 days for a conviction of...
Robert E. Wagle, 35, of Summerville, South Carolina, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor on Monday, Dec. 30, on three felony counts, theft by unlawful taking, more than $5,000, a Class 2A felony; first-degree false imprisonment, a Class 3A felony; and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, all alleged Dec. 5. Taylor set bond at $200,000, 10% cash, and set a preliminary hearing for Jan. 13. Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk was appointed Dec. 11 to...
The Honorable James Kube presided over Antelope County district court last week in the final 2019 session. The Honorable Mark Johnson will serve Antelope County in 2020. Kube arraigned two individuals on felony charges. Matthew C. Waters, 34, a South Dakota man currently held in the Antelope County Jail, faced the judge on two counts related to a multi-county pursuit that ended near Royal in November. He is charge with two Class 4 felonies, attempted assault on a law enforcement officer with a...
The Honorable Donna Taylor cleared a dozen cases from the Antelope County court docket during a busy morning last Wednesday, Dec. 4. Alexander E. Huffman, 33, of Neligh appeared without counsel for arraignment on a count of disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Dec. 2, in Neligh. Huffman waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty. Huffman told Taylor he “got way too drunk and wanted to go to Valley Hope,” and although he couldn’t afford it, he was determined to drive there, which “would have been a very bad idea,” he said....
