Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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As we all know, state legislators have been called back to Lincoln for a special session this summer to tackle the state's high property taxes. As has been written here before, good luck with that. It's easy to gripe about property taxes being too high; much more difficult to lower them without shifting the tax load onto someone else. But we need to talk about something that we also all gripe about – gasoline prices. I'm one of those guys who scans the countryside for the cheapest gas p...
As introduced, Gov. Jim Pillen’s core property tax relief proposal could fall short by $139 million in annual estimated revenue needed. Pillen’s main proposal, introduced through Legislative Bill 1 in the special session, includes placing a sales tax on more than 100 currently tax-exempt goods and services. It would also raise seven “sin” taxes, on candy and soft drinks, vapes, cigarettes, keno gambling, spirits, consumable hemp and games of skill. In total, the new or increased taxes would raise an estimated $1.15 billion in the first full fis...
This month is Renewable Fuels Month in Nebraska. It’s a chance for us all to celebrate the hardworking farmers, ranchers and producers, who help fuel the world from right here at home. But it’s also a reminder that while Nebraska is leading America’s energy revolution today, we have a lot of work to do if we want to deliver more of our homegrown fuel in the years to come. There’s no better example of this next chapter, or of what Nebraska needs to do to help write it, than one of this year’s hottest topics: sustainable aviation fuel. SAF is on...
Antelope County Commissioners learned heard from two speakers, Dec. 5, about concerns with a potential carbon-capture pipeline projected to run through the northern tier of the county. Doyle Turner, of Moville, Iowa, and Trent Loos, a central Nebraska rancher also presented similar information at an informational forum, Dec. 4, in Neligh. Turner said years ago, he had invested in a company that sold carbon dioxide for "any kind of purpose you can imagine." "I knew CO2 had a lot of value. What I...
This week, House Republicans took action to push back on proposals by President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency effectively forcing consumers to drive only electric vehicles by 2032. The EPA’s out-of-touch policies are unworkable for the Third District because of our winter weather and expansive driving distances. Furthermore, China, which holds 78% of the world’s EV battery cell manufacturing capacity, recently implemented export controls on raw EV battery materials. In the inter...
The saga of Summit Carbon Solutions and its quest for a conditional use permit for a carbon pipeline, proposed to cross the northern tier of Antelope County will continue. At least for now. Following a public hearing, held Sept. 14, in Neligh, and after discussion amongst county planning and zoning commission members, a decision will wait until Oct. 5, when the group is scheduled to reconvene at 3 p.m. The proposed pipeline would transport CO2 emissions from ethanol plants in a five-state area...
Poorly considered policy driven by ideological agendas can have devastating consequences for Americans, bringing the greatest harm to those with the least recourse when good intentions go awry. There’s always room for improvement in federal policy. However, damage is often avoidable if decision-makers simply take the time to consider the impact of their decisions upon Americans and the variety of their needs and lifestyles across our country. This week, the House considered legislation to addres...
PROCEEDINGS OF REGULAR MEETING HOLT COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION A regular meeting of the Holt County Planning and Zoning Commission was held at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Holt Count Annex. Present were commission members: Grace Coleman, Mary Kaczor, Dan Grass, John Krysl, Keith May, Kevin Dekay and Marv Fritz. Absent were commission members Frank Heying and Rod Heiss. Notice of this meeting was given in advance by posting in three publications and posted in Holt County Clerk’s office. All proceedings hereafter s...
A proposed carbon-capture pipeline, scheduled to cross Antelope and Holt counties, is an example of "environmentalism gone amok," according to an Iowa resident who addressed Antelope County Commissioners, May 9. Tammy Kobza, a Nebraska native who serves as a field representative for The John Birch Society, said Nebraskans can learn a lot about landowner rights and eminent domain by watching their eastern neighbors battle Summit Carbon Solutions. The Iowa-based company seeks to construct a...
The Appropriations Committee advanced its finalized recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 biennial budget to the full Legislature. This proposal calls for an average increase of 2.3% in spending over the next two fiscal years. The main differences between the governor's proposal and the Appropriations Committee proposal are that lawmakers included an additional $80 million to increase both (A) the reimbursement rates for providers of Medicaid services by 3% this year and...
Antelope County Commissioners listened to comments from opponents of a proposed carbon-capture pipeline earlier this month. Jane Kleeb, founder of Bold Nebraska, was scheduled to meet with Holt County Supervisors, Feb. 16, but a Central Nebraska snowstorm kept her from making the trek from her home in Hastings to O'Neill. Before Antelope County leaders, Kleeb outlined her organization's fight against the Keystone XL pipeline and how she worked with area landowners to protect property rights. She...
This week saw the Legislature resume floor debate and consider several gubernatorial appointments and reappointments. The following people were confirmed this week: Jim Macy as director of the department of environment and energy, John Bolduc as the superintendent of the state patrol, John Hilgert as director of the department of veterans affairs, Jason Jackson as director of the department of administrative services and Sherry Vinton as director of the department of agriculture. Additionally, I...
Nearly two weeks prior to the first day of winter, we have seen snow, ice and freezing conditions across the Third District. While precipitation is needed to relieve Nebraska’s fourth-driest year on record, and snowfall may have many dreaming of a white Christmas, colder-than-average temperatures are expected to accompany historically high energy costs this winter. Energy is an outsized operational expense for agriculture producers. Elevated input costs are taking a toll on farmers and r...
This week, Governor Pete Ricketts is leading a trade mission to Japan to promote Nebraska's quality ag products and to pitch Nebraska as a top destination for international investment. The governor and trade delegation will meet with government officials, promote Nebraska beef, pork, ethanol and other ag products and encourage Japanese businesses to invest in Nebraska. Delegates on the mission include representatives from ag businesses, state commodity organizations, Nebraska Farm Bureau, the De...
After sifting line by line through proposed zoning regulations, Holt County Supervisors approved changes for regulations regarding pipelines, carbon pipelines and wind energy. Proposed regulations for solar energy were sent back to the county's planning and zoning board for additional information during the Nov. 16 meeting. Pipeline regulations Proposed regulations update the definition of pipeline to include crude oil, tar sands and affluents. Per regulations, a pipeline will be "any pipe with...
A decision on proposed planning and zoning regulations in Holt County will wait until at least Nov. 16. That's the next time county supervisors will meet in regular session, at 9:45 a.m., at the courthouse in O'Neill. For more than two and one-half hours area residents presented testimony, covering carbon dioxide pipelines, solar farms and wind energy, during an Oct. 31 public hearing. At the conclusion, county lawmakers failed to advance a motion, by Doug Frahm, which would have accepted all...
First of all, thank you for giving me the opportunity to address your group about the proposed planning commission changes. I thought we had killed this a while back and would not hear from the commission until they had a complete plan that had been thoroughly vetted. I have been on quite a few boards in my life. I can appreciate that you are doing what you think is best. I would ask you to consider an additional point of view. • I had a conversation at Elgin a few years back, that sounded like what I believe is happening again here, now. I w...
Proposed zoning regulations for solar, wind energy and carbon pipeline development will be discussed during a public hearing, Monday, Oct. 31, at the Holt County Courthouse in O'Neill. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Planning and zoning commission members have focused on developing new or revising current regulations as they work through the county's comprehensive plan, which was written in 1980. The commission is working with Marvin Planning Associates, of David City, to assist...
Antelope County Commissioners listened to updates about the proposed Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, Sept. 13, during the board's regular monthly meeting. Derrick Montgomery was scheduled to present on behalf of Summit Carbon Solutions; however, due to illness, Ben Fuller, a relationship manager with the Iowa-based company, gave an overview of the project. He provided commissioners with handouts, including a map of the county and a few pages including tax information. Summit Carbon Solutions...
REP. ADRIAN SMITH The importance of a strong agriculture economy to the state of Nebraska and our entire nation cannot be overstated. Often overlooked in policy conversations, products supplied by farmers and ranchers are fundamental to fueling our lives, filling our plates, putting shirts on our backs and so much more. Yet, American ag producers currently face a bevy of historic crises which threaten their livelihoods and the long-term health of our economy. This comes at a time when relief for Americans suffering because of inflation and the...
For years, Alex and Joyce Thramer were well-known throughout the area for the Two Rivers Steakhouse, Thramer Irrigation, Summerland Golf Course and their participation in the community. The couple was inducted into the Ewing Hall of Fame during FunFest, Sunday, May 29. The couple's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren accepted the award. Joyce (Kerkman) Thramer grew up in Elgin and Alex Thramer grew up south of Clearwater. They exchanged wedding vows on Aug. 29, 1950, and lived on a f...
Summit Carbon Solutions representatives met with area landowners, May 18, in the former Orchard School building, to answer questions about a potential carbon dioxide pipeline slated for construction in the area. Jake Ketzner, vice president of government and public affairs at Summit Carbon, opened the meeting with a brief overview of the new carbon pipeline that would cut through Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, if approved. The Ames, Iowa-based company plans to run the pipeline th...
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...
Tyler C. Bain, 39, of O’Neill appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Tuesday, May 3, for bond hearings in two county court cases. Bain was represented in each case, for purposes of bond review only, by Holt County public defender Rodney Smith. Bain had appeared April 3, when he requested court-appointed counsel. After holding an indigency hearing, Burdick denied the request. In the first case, Bain, who is charged with third-degree domestic ass...
Campbell was represented by Ronald Temple of Norfolk. Crystal J. Diedrich, 35, of Grand Island, waived her right to counsel, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, operating a motor vehicle during time of suspension. Burdick fined her $100 and taxed $50 costs. Diedrich was cited April 1 in O’Neill. Erin Hanlin, 39, of Gregory, South Dakota, was allowed to plead guilty by waiver, to a charge of issuing a bad check to Ewing Family Foods on March 24, 2020. She was fined $250, taxed $50 costs and ordered to pay $207.84 re...
