Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Hand counting of election ballots will not take place in Holt County anytime soon, despite a request from citizens made at the Sept. 16 supervisors' meeting in O'Neill. Grace Coleman of Atkinson presented petitions discouraging use of electronic tabulators and encouraging a return to hand counting of ballots at the precinct level. She said individuals from Holt, Boyd, Antelope, Cedar, Knox, Dixon and northern Pierce counties signed the petitions, which were circulated over the summer months....
The North Central District Health Department reported another West Nile Virus pool has been detected in mosquitoes in Holt County near O'Neill. This makes the third positive pool this trapping season. Residents should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes. • Limit time spent outdoors at dusk and down when mosquitoes are most active. • Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants if outdoors at dusk or dawn. • Apply EPA-approved mosquito repellant (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, eucal...
A young Holt County man will spend more time in the state prison. Ethan J. Peterson, 20, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Lincoln, who was. already serving consecutive sentences from Holt and Pierce counties, was back in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill last Monday, Aug. 12, to be sentenced for crimes committed Dec. 15, 2023. The Honorable Mark Kozisec sentenced Peterson to 24 months in prison on each of four Class 4 felony counts, possession of a destructive device, possession of cocaine, possession of m...
An elderly Tilden man was sentenced in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, April 17, to a one-year term of probation for violating a domestic abuse protection order. The protection order was issued April 13, 2022, and renewed April 13, 2023, in Boone County district court, with the 90-year-old man’s former spouse listed as the protected party. She alleged mental and physical abuse. Antelope County attorney Joe Smith said Nebraska probation officials recommended jail in a presentence investigation report. He said a mental h...
A 19-year-old O’Neill man, originally accused of committing 11 crimes last April, was sentenced to prison for five of the offenses last week in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill. The Honorable Mark Kozisec sentenced Ethan J. Peterson to imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for a period of 24 months, with credit for 54 days already served, on Count I, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class 3A felony; 12 months, with credit for 54 days, on Count II, pos...
Sentencing on a 90-year-old Tilden man’s latest conviction of violating a harassment protection order was delayed last week after court officials discussed his felony charge in Pierce County. The Honorable Donna Taylor granted a defense request to delay sentencing for the third time, in Denis Kerkman’s current Antelope County case, after hearing that a felony charge of violating of the same protection order in Pierce County had been bound over to district court. Local sentencing was previously scheduled Feb. 7 and Feb. 21 and was continued eac...
A 20-year-old O’Neill man was back in the Holt County district courtroom March 11, to be resentenced for crimes committed Aug. 5, 2021, after he admitted violating probation. The Honorable Mark Kozisek revoked probation and resentenced Drake D. Ruegge to 100 days in the Holt County Jail on each of two underlying counts, possession of a controlled substance and third-degree domestic assault, with credit given for 44 days previously served. Provided he loses none of his good time, Ruegge must serve 58 days, less 44 days on Count I and another 5...
A warrant was issued Feb. 6 by Holt County judge Kale Burdick, for the arrest of Jesse R. Anderson, 41, of O’Neill. Anderson is suspected of the theft of $2,259 cash from Pump & Pantry in O’Neill on Feb. 3. According to an affidavit filed by investigator Mike Ross with the O’Neill Police Department, Anderson was allegedly recorded on surveillance footage in the convenience store at the time of the theft. Anderson also allegedly purchased three 99 brand alcohol shooters before leaving the store. Ross notified other law enforcement agenc...
The 2024 ESU 8 K-12 Art Show will be held at the Antelope County Fairgrounds Building in Neligh. K-12 student artwork will be displayed from across the seven-county region - Antelope, Boyd, Holt, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wheeler counties - all served by ESU 8. The show will be open to the public for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day starting Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7. The show will represent approximately 30 schools and include about 1,800 pieces. “There is no fee to enjoy the art and everyone is welcome,” said Ste...
The Honorable Donna Taylor presided over Antelope County court at the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 7. Handling prosecutor duties in the absence of Antelope County attorney Joe Smith was Joe Hurd, special deputy county attorney. Denis Kerkman, 90, of Tilden faced Taylor for sentencing on his latest conviction of violating a harassment protection order. Although Hurd indicated he had no evidence regarding sentencing, other than what was included in a presentence investigation report, he recommended probation with no jail time, a...
An unproductive second quarter led to a Jan. 2 Bobcat loss to the Plainview Pirates, who returned to Pierce County with a 50-41 win. The two teams battled to a 12-12 tie at the end of the first quarter. Plainview's defense held Summerland to a single point in the second quarter, leading 22-13 at the half. The Bobcats added seven points after the break, while the Pirates extended the margin to 37-20. In the final eight minutes, the Bobcats added 21 points. The Bobcats shot 15% from the...
Antelope County Judge Donna Taylor recently signed warrants authorizing the arrest of two Lindsay men on allegations of the theft of a 2000 Ford Ranger pickup, registered to James Meuret and a 2023 Polaris Ranger ATV and tires belonging to Meuret Grain Co. of Brunswick. Warrants were issued Dec. 11, for Derek L. Birman, 44, and Shane R Farrier, 31, on Class 2 felony charges of theft by unlawful taking. Taylor set bond at $20,000, 10% cash, for each of them. Meuret reported the theft of the Polaris and tires Nov. 14 but, at that time, he...
The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County. Samples taken last week at Willow Creek Reservoir measured above the threshold of eight parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing are permitted, but the public is...
A total of four mosquito pools have now tested positive for West Nile Virus in Holt County, near O'Neill. West Nile Virus is still circulating in the environment. Residents, not only in Holt County, but across Nebraska, should continue to take precautions to protect themselves until the first hard freeze, according to Elizabeth Parks, disease surveillance coordinator at North Central District Health Department. Precautions include: • Limit time spent outdoors at dusk and down when mosquitoes a...
The state has issued health alerts for harmful algal blooms, also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Willow Creek Reservoir in Pierce County and Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County. Samples taken earlier this week at the lake measured above the threshold of 8 parts per billion of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae. When a health alert is issued, signs are posted to advise the public to use caution, and designated swimming beaches are closed during the alert. Recreational boating and fishing...
19 - 2023 A funeral mass for Dorothy Summers, 87, of O'Neill, was held Tuesday, Aug. 8, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill. Burial followed in the O'Neill Cemetery. Dorothy died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church for mass intentions in memory of Dorothy. Arrangements were entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill. ~~~~~ Dorothy Helen Kamphaus was born May 6, 1936, in Petersburg to Joseph and Juliana...
A Funeral Mass for Dorothy Summers, age 87, of O'Neill, NE will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with burial to follow in the O'Neill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, August 7, 2023 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 pm Parish Rosary. Dorothy passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk, NE. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic Church for Mass intentions in memory of Dorothy....
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...
When Antelope County Commissioners convene June 6, members of the public wanting to watch proceedings will have to do so in person. After a 5-1 vote during the group’s May 9 meeting, broadcasting meetings via the Zoom platform will no longer be an option. Commissioner Regina Krebs voted against the motion. During discussion prior to the vote, chairman Charlie Henery said the group made a motion during the pandemic to use virtual conferencing. “If we don’t want to continue, we need a motio...
The Bobcat golf team shot 393 in district play, May 16, at Fair Play Golf Course in Norfolk. The score placed Summerland 10th in team competition. Dane Miller set the pace for the Bobcats, shooting 93. Kelton Bruhn finished with 96; Matthew Potter, 101; Dylan Rotherham, 103 and Logan Kester, 112. Miller tied for 30th. Pierce won the event, shooting 322, while Ponca took home the runner-up trophy, with 346. Norfolk Catholic finished third, totaling 350, followed by Cedar Catholic, fourth, 357;...
The 2023 ESU 8 kindergarten to 12th-grade art show will be held at the Antelope County Fair Grounds Building in Neligh. The show will be open to the public for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day starting Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 2. Student artwork will be displayed from Antelope, Boyd, Holt, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wheeler counties, all served by ESU 8. The show will represent approximately 30 schools and more than 5,500 students in the seven-county area. There is no fee...
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...
NORFOLK – One of the last bus drivers in Norfolk begins his day by taking Nancy Stehlik to work. Wrapped in a purple coat and earmuffs, Stehlik inches her walker onto the small bus’s wheelchair lift. Driver Neil Schlecht pushes a button and the lift whirs down, placing Stehlik outside of work. For the rest of the day, he takes seven people to clinics, church and the grocery store. He jokes with riders just as he’s long done as a driver for North Fork Area Transit, the bus service which, until recently, used 35 buses and vans to give as many...
The Honorable Kale Burdick handed down several sentences during recent Holt County court sessions held at the Holt County courthouse in O'Neill. Tyler C. Bain, 40, of Newport was sentenced to concurrent jail sentences in two cases Nov. 15. He was sentenced to 365 days in the Holt County jail for a Class 1 misdemeanor committed April 1, third-degree domestic assault. Credit was given for 17 days previously served. Bain pleaded no contest Sept. 20, pursuant to a plea bargain. In return, Holt...
The farmer was growing impatient. He and dozens of other central Nebraska farmers had gathered for mandatory training in Columbus a few weeks before last Christmas. In response to high nitrate levels, the Lower Loup Natural Resources District had designated a "Phase 3 area." That led to new requirements – like this training to help farmers manage their nitrogen fertilizer use. The farmer didn't like this. He told NRD leaders he had been drinking water containing nitrate at 40 parts per m...
